By the Palm Trees – Melbourne City vs Central Coast Mariners

The Central Coast Mariners so called ‘form slump’ continued with a 3-2 loss in their FFA Cup Semi Final match in Adelaide. It was the archetypal ‘game of two halves’ as the poor performance in the first half gave way to a much more energetic and passionate second half.

Perhaps something in the half time dressing room conversation contributed but the most obvious inspiration for the reversal of the lack lustre first half was the return of Matty Simon from injury. Even before he made a game of it by putting away his chance to make the score 2-1 his defender harassing style had already shown how putting opposition players under pressure can force mistakes. Despite the improvement in the second half the two goal margin Adelaide had established before the break proved too much for our boys to trouble The Reds, who closed the contest with a couple of minutes remaining. The Mariner’s injury time second goal was merely consolation.

The proposition I stated in my FFA Cup preview was this –

…win this match against quality opposition and put ourselves into the first FFA Cup final with rising confidence – or lose the match and find ourselves travelling to Melbourne City, followed quickly by Western Sydney, while the fans and media start talking about crisis even before we’re a third of the way through the season.

So here we are with the latter having eventuated and with the crisis talk increasing as we head down to AAMI Park for our battle with the newly appointed ‘Silvertails’ of the A-League. Fans are rightly unhappy about the current situation and predictably more #MossOut and ‘crisis’ calls have rung out in the aftermath of the most recent loss. I think it’s about attitude, effort, and professionalism and, most importantly to Central Coasties; it’s about our players ‘never giving in’. At times in the first half against Adelaide, I felt this kind of attitude was lacking among some of our recently signed foreign players and I don’t think I’m wrong to expect more of them. Unless they’re unfit it’s time these players delivered more consistently on their promise and took some personal responsibility for their performances. I’m looking for them to show they are beginning to understand what it means to be a Central Coast Mariner.

We go to Melbourne to take on City this weekend and while Melbourne City had their first win in some time last weekend against Brisbane Roar, I think the Roar were poor against them and at the same time Melbourne City went forward quickly, incisively and had enough quality to take the excellent chances they made. Aaron Mooy was central to some of their best work but he will not be part of the City squad this weekend due to International duties. Melbourne City did appear an improved side after David Villa’s departure and I expect they will be tough opposition at home regardless of who plays in their side.

While I don’t think this match will be easy for the Mariners, statistically City have always struggled against the Central Coast men and I think the boys in Yellow can begin to turn around their recent form in this game, and set themselves on a new path. My prediction: – Mariners by 1.

Whatever the result, I hope to see our team looking like the hard working group of mates that has banded together to represent the Central Coast so proudly for the last 9 or so years.

 

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