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Good CCM reports

dibo

Well-Known Member
Bit bloody wet though:

33467_440249316219_711661219_5818294_7431950_n.jpg
 

MrCelery

Well-Known Member
Brilliant article above, and a great thread all round! Thanks to Mr Celery for getting that ball rolling.

(Mr Celery, was it you who started those 'Celery' chants at Mariners v Victory last week?)

No Andy. Can't claim that one. I think that was most likely Eggy. Must admit it brought back some fond memories!
 

MrCelery

Well-Known Member
Arnold the driving force behind Mariners new wave of popularity

Michael Cockerill (SMH)
January 14, 2012


THEY say the table never lies but it might not always tell the full story. Central Coast Mariners are setting a cracking pace before tonight's F3 derby against Newcastle Jets - eight points clear at the top of the league and with a chance to set a club record of 13 games unbeaten.

Graham Arnold went into the season hoping to fly under the radar but the Mariners are more like an A380 these days - impossible to miss. Shortening favourites for a maiden championship, genuine prospects of a decent Asian Champions League campaign and with a coach and a group of players who are set to sweep the end-of-season awards night.

Thankfully, the team's evolution is starting to get recognised at the turnstiles - the Mariners got their best crowd in three years on New Year's Eve and with this fixture, at this time of the year, you'd imagine the current average gate of 10,398 is about to get a lift. Everyone's favourite second team is red-hot in the popularity stakes.

Yet while things could hardly be smoother on the surface, there are issues underneath which need to be addressed. In rough order, it's finalising the new investment from a mystery Russian billionaire, sorting out a deal which will keep Arnold at the club beyond this season, and then wading through negotiations with a significant number of players who are in demand elsewhere and could easily leave. With all three issues fast coming to a head, there's a tough few weeks ahead in order to get the ducks in a row. It would be a tragedy if all the hard work that's been done to position the club where it belongs was to come crashing down around chairman Peter Turnbull's head.

The architect of the success is, undoubtedly, Arnold. In a salary-capped league, succession-planning is a nightmare for coaches, but Arnie has got it exactly right. Matt Simon leaves, and there's Adam Kwasnik and Daniel McBreen waiting on the bench. Pedj Bojic is suspended, as he is today, and Brad Porter comes into the equation. In recent weeks, Trent Sainsbury has deputised in central defence. If Arnold loses, say, Matt Ryan, Oliver Bozanic and Mustafa Amini to the Olyroos for most of next month, he's got Justin Pasfield, Brad McDonald and Tom Rogic as ready-made replacements.

The Mariners have the smallest wage bill in the competition and yet they've got the best depth. Why? Partly because the culture of the club. Partly because of a scouting system established by Lawrie McKinna and fine-tuned by Tony Walmsley. But mostly because players want to come to Gosford to work under Arnold and are prepared to take less money for the experience.

Whatever the case, it's ironic that Newcastle, who have always looked upon their neighbours as little cousins, are now trying to emulate them. The Jets are starting to follow the example set by the Mariners, not that they'd admit it. If the table isn't lying they've got a lot of ground to make up.



Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/a-league/arnold-the-driving-force-behind-mariners-new-wave-of-popularity-20120113-1pzbg.html#ixzz1jM2BTujH
 

bikinigirl

Well-Known Member
Everyone's favourite second team is red-hot in the popularity stakes.

. cockerill has said that twice in two days now ... and i'd never heard that in the media before

. most unfashionable sure ... but everyone's second team?

. oh and i thought arnie still had another year on his contract
 

Muppet

Well-Known Member
I get nervous with all these good reports coming out. Usually means something is up. Then again I could be wrong!
 

Muppet

Well-Known Member
Interesting reading into the stats so far for the season. We have only had 10 goals slipped in against us after 15 rounds. Next closest is 19. Shows how well the boys are playing. In terms of for goals Brisbane is in front on 32 and we are coming second on 25.
 

MrCelery

Well-Known Member
Brisbane Roar concede quest for A-league championship double is finished

by: Marco Monteverde From: The Courier-Mail January 14, 2012 12:00AM


BRISBANE Roar have all but given up hope of securing another A-League premiership-championship double, conceding that even with the return of talisman Thomas Broich, it will be near-impossible to take top spot from Central Coast Mariners.

Both teams are in action today, with the Mariners hosting Newcastle Jets and the Roar taking on Sydney FC at Suncorp Stadium.

Heading into their respective clashes, the first-placed Mariners hold an eight-point advantage over nearest rivals Brisbane and have a game in hand on the champions.

Brisbane's best bet of silverware this season is now championship glory by taking out the top-six finals series in April.

That is roughly when Broich, who returns tonight after eight matches out with a heel injury, expects to be back to his best.

"They usually say it takes as long as it's been injured to really get back to where you've been before," said the A-League's best player, who admitted time had just about run out for the Roar to reel in Central Coast.

"It's tough. They're in really good shape and there's not many games to go.

"But there might be a little chance to catch them."

Roar coach Ange Poste-coglou said the Mariners would need to have a monumental stumble to be knocked off their perch before the finals started on March 30.

"If you look at the gap, it's going to be pretty hard," Postecoglou said.

"Really, aside from ourselves and the other teams chasing having to go on a good run, they (the Mariners) have got to have a bad run, and there's no sign of that.

"If they maintain their consistency, they'll stitch up that top spot.

"From our point of view, there's no point in thinking about it unless we get a run of results ourselves. We have to start picking up some points."
 

Muppet

Well-Known Member
Personally I think it is a bit too early to say we are a shoe in for the premiership. Yes we are 8 points ahead but we have a very heavy schedule coming up. We have to face Heart, Victory, Adelaide and Briisbane again all of which are dangerous teams. We also have ACL commitments. If we can get to the end of February and still be in a dominant position then I will be happy. I have very faith in Arnie and his team to get us there. We have no injuries at present and a very focused and cohesive unit.
 

Bex

Well-Known Member
That's a rubbish article IMO.

Which statements is Marko using to support the article's title "Brisbane Roar concede quest for A-league championship double is finished"? It's certainly not the statements from within the article such as: "But there might be a little chance to catch them", and; "If they maintain their consistency, they'll stitch up that top spot".

I don't see anything in Roar's comments that indicates they've given up on the quest to win the double.

We've only got to lose a few games while they win a few games and they're right back with us. I hate to say it, but that's entirely feasible and that's exactly what happened to Roar to give us the lead.
 

MrCelery

Well-Known Member
I agree - miles to early to make that call.

Of course if "..they maintain their consistency...", we WILL win the Premiership Plate, as no one will be able to catch us.

Fervently hoping that our performances and luck continue.
 

yellowcake

Well-Known Member
Looking at numbers, Roar's massive season last year had them on 65 points after 30 rounds. We're currently on 33 after exactly half that :)
 

shipwreck

Well-Known Member
Definitely don't have it in the bag, media needs to calm the f**k down! One game at a time boys, Arnie will keep them level headed which is exactly what the other teams and the media seem to not want!

It's almos as if they are trying to ruin the mariners self belie of underdogs and blue collar guys, knowing we play our best football like this!
 

MrCelery

Well-Known Member
Hands up for Matt Ryan against Melbourne Heart

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012
by Scott Condon
The Football Sack

Young 'keeper Matthew Ryan was inspirational in Central Coast Mariners 1-0 win over Melbourne Heart in their midweek Hyundai A-League fixture at AAMI Park on Wednesday night.

The Young Socceroo made save after save as a brave Heart took on the Mariners but ultimately fell short when Adam Kwasnik scored in the 89th minute to help Central Coast take three points placing them nine points clear on top of the Hyundai A-League table.

John van't Schip's men were clearly the better side against the top of the table Mariners but could not find a way past the 19 year old Ryan, whose string of saves kept Central Coast in the match. The top of the table Mariners have now amassing 14 games without a loss, whilst Heart are win-less in their last four matches.

The story of the night though was undoubtedly Matt Ryan and speaking after the game he was happy with his performance but understands that there is plenty of work on his game that requires tinkering.

"I was caught out on one or two crosses" the mildly spoken Ryan confessed.

Graham Arnold was a little more positive in his assessment of Ryan's game.

"The kid next to me saved us tonight".

Arnold also praised the young shot stoppers work ethic.

"Ryan is a perfectionist and never happy with his game"

"He is athletically bigger than last year"

His physical growth this year is a trait that Arnold expects will one day see him take Mark Schwartzer's Socceroo kit.

Although only 19 years old, Ryan is no stranger to the spotlight after receiving three major awards after last year's breakout season. These awards are something Arnold has told him to put in his cupboard and admire after his career as there plenty more to achieve.

It's on the prospect of moving overseas where Arnold got a little grumpy. "NO!" was the reply after he was asked if Ryan would be on the move to Europe in the near future.

"The kid is still only 19, he would be better served playing regular football in the A-League and hopefully for the Olympic team than sitting on the bench in Europe waiting for his chance behind an experienced 'keeper. Managers over there don't give opportunities to 19 year old goalkeepers".

When quizzed on the topic, Ryan agreed it was a fair bit off but does harbour the ambition to make it big in Europe "somewhere down the track".

That is great news for Central Coast Mariners and their young squad but not so good news for A-League opposition strikers who will continue to be left frustrated after seeing shot after shot stopped by another quality Australain goalkeeper to come off the production line.

http://www.thefootballsack.com/2012/01/hands-up-for-matt-ryan-against.html
 

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