05 Oct Football Nation Season Preview: Central Coast Mariners

Overview:

 It was a good year for the rebuilding Mariners, one that coach Paul Okon can hold his head high up about. The Mariners went from perennial whipping boys to highly competitive on the pitch last season.

It began the task of a massive culling of the squad left by Tony Walmsley which Okon inherited, and quickly got to work in rebuilding.

The Mariners avoided the wooden spoon only by a single point, still losing 16 of their 27 games, but young stars Connor Pain and Trent Buhagiar showed glimpses in attack and are the future of the Mariners side.

Ins and Outs:

INS: Tom Hiariej, Alan Baro, Antony Golec, Andrew Hoole, Ben Kennedy, Kye Rowles, Josh Rose, Daniel De Silva, Thomas Glover, Asdrubal and Wout Brama

OUTS: Paul Izzo, Roy O’ Donovan, Fabio Ferreira, Ivan Necevski, Nick Montgomery, Jacob Poscoliero, Jacques Faty, Scott Galloway, Mickael Tavares, Michael Neill and Jake Adelson

Some big ins for the Mariners in the space of the newly appointed captain is former Melbourne Victory defender, and an integral part of their Grand Final appearance last season Alan Baro.

The Spaniard brings in plenty of European experience, and will lead from the back which is something the Mariners lacked last season conceding 52 goals.

Another Spaniard who brings in European experience is Asdrubal who played with La Liga squad Las Palmas over 55 matches spanning 4 seasons, and will be an integral part up forward linking with youngsters Buhagiar and Pain.

Young attacking midfielder Daniel De Silva returns to Australia after a stint in Holland, and recently is still on AS Roma’s list, and has a clause in his contract that states he might be recalled back to AS Roma at any time which is a fantastic opportunity for the 20 Year Old.

Some notable departures from the Mariners include long standing striker Roy O’ Donovan, with the Irishman joining Newcastle Jets on a two year deal.

Scott Galloway who was making strides as a Full Back for the Mariners last season has shipped over to the Tasman to play with the Wellington Phoenix this season.

Defensive midfielder Nick Montgomery announced his professional retirement from football in May of this season, but has set up life in the NPL NSW with the Wollongong Wolves.

Prediction

 This will be a more competitive year under Paul Okon for Central Coast, some notable ins more than outs. Bringing in Asdrubal from Las Palmas will bring more crowds in for the Mariners, and will be a notable man up forward for the young squad this season.

Alan Baro has been a fantastic defender over his tenure in European and at Victory and fills the leadership skills left by Nick Montgomery, alongside Wout Brama and Tom Hiareij who should hold up the spine of the defence for the Mariners this season.

This will be a breakout year for Daniel De Silva, with the former Glory youth wanting to get back into the Australian brand of football, and wants to make a good impression on Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou if the Socceroos do go to Russia 2018, it’d be a great case to make.

If the forwards can gel, I expect the Mariners to be very prominent on the score sheet, and competitive throughout the season with 9-10 wins from Paul Okon’s men, and a good way to build these young players into stars.

2017/18 Prediction: 7^th