All this talk on the forum about John Sutton is exciting but apart from a couple of UK newspaper articles, has anyone heard anything from the club about being interested in an overseas striker (or non-ccm youth for that matter)? Usually there is a forumite who has a mate of a mate that knows someone... but so far - duck egg.
I was under the impression that we had $0. I cant see how we can start spending money on overseas players.
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/a-league/mariners-close-to-loan-deal-for-scotlandbased-sutton-20120126-1qjsi.html
Mariners close to loan deal for Scotland-based Sutton Sebastian Hassett
January 27, 2012
CENTRAL COAST coach Graham Arnold has moved quickly to fill the void left by striker Matt Simon as forward John Sutton from Scottish Premier League side Hearts looks set to take a four-month loan deal with the Mariners.
The paperwork won't be completed until Monday at the earliest, meaning the 28-year-old journeyman won't be available for tonight's match against Gold Coast United at Skilled Park.
Sutton - the younger brother of former England striker Chris Sutton - has been frozen out of first-team action at Tynecastle by Hearts manager Paulo Sergio after joining the Edinburgh club on a free transfer in May. Sutton has scored just three goals for the Jambos this season, but his earlier spell at SPL club Motherwell was more prolific, scoring 32 goals in 98 games.
Advertisement: Story continues below Arnold believes Sutton could prove the ideal replacement for Simon, who has joined K-League side Chunnam Dragons, as the 188-centimetre striker is known in Britain for his robust approach.
''It's no secret that the loss of Matty Simon was a surprise for us but while we're covering well for him now, with the heavy program that we've got ahead of us, I'd like another set of legs,'' Arnold said. ''There's no real strikers available here in Australia and we're just looking around to see what there is available regards to a similar player to Simon.
''Bernie Ibini will also be off with the Olympic team for at least a month and then another game in March, plus Michael Baird left for Malaysia, so we definitely need another striker who can be with us for the rest of the season, the finals and then our Asian Champions League campaign.
''We're certainly deep in discussions with John at the moment and while we've got our own salary-cap restrictions that need to be looked at, I'm confident we can get it done.''
A former England under-16 international, Sutton came through the youth ranks at Tottenham Hotspur but never cracked the top flight in England, instead playing for lower-league clubs Carlisle, Swindon, Millwall and Wycombe. Sutton's best form has come in Scotland, where he impressed at Raith Rovers, Dundee and St Mirren, scoring freely at each and attracting interest from Manchester City and Celtic.
''He's a very similar player in style to Billy Mehmet at Perth Glory,'' Arnold said. ''He's mobile, he's strong, he's a real goal scorer and a traditional No. 9, which is very different to what I've got, which is three strikers who are quick and don't play so much with their back to goal. It means … we've got different personnel to change our style of play.''
The deal appears to be a bargain for the Mariners, as Hearts have been looking to cut their wage bill during the January transfer window and are happy for Central Coast to take on Sutton's contract.
The Mariners arrived on the Gold Coast yesterday and have been reassured tonight's match will go ahead despite concerns about the drenching the region received this week. Only one change will be made to the team that defeated Adelaide 3-2 last weekend; John Hutchinson's suspension means Oliver Bozanic will start at left-midfield.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/a-league/mariners-close-to-loan-deal-for-scotlandbased-sutton-20120126-1qjsi.html#ixzz1kbsvODLx
Now - if he can teach Bernie to head the ball while he is here that would be really handy.