The Alen Stajcic era begins properly for the Central Coast Mariners as new faces look to put the club back to the top.
It seems like a case of déjà vu for Mariners fans with a new coach and a plethora of new signings in the yellow and navy, however, there is a feeling of optimism surrounding the club as Alen Stajcic plans to make his mark on the A-League stage.
Last season…
A-League: 10th
Finals: Did not qualify
FFA Cup: Round of 32
They’ll win the league because…
Stajcic has proven in the past he can get results and knows how to get the best out of his players. Not only has he been able to acquire experienced players but also has brought in several key staff members among the coaching ranks. Jess Vanstratten returns to the Mariners as the club’s goalkeeping coach with Stajcic labelling him as “one of the best in Australia.”
The arrival of Scotsman, Ziggy Gordan and goalkeeper Mark Birighitti will add experience and solidity to a young Mariners back line that conceded 70 goals last campaign.
They’ll be cellar dwellers because…
After a record two successive wooden spoons the Mariners faithful will be hoping the club does not add a third. If it were to happen, it would be down to the front third and their inability to convert their chances. The Mariners have only added Abraham Majok to their strike force alongside Matt Simon and Jordan Murray.
Talk around the water cooler… look smart in front of your colleagues with this valuable piece of information
The last time the Mariners opened their season against the Western Sydney Wanderers away from home, they went on to become A-League Champions. Could history repeat itself?
The off-season brought
It was another rebuild during the off-season for the Central Coast and Stajcic has brought in a large amount of experience.
Korean midfielder Kim Eun-Sun arrives with plenty of K-League and AFC Champions League experience with Korean giants Suwon Bluewings while Gordon joins the Mariners from Scottish outfit Hamilton Academical to shore up a young Mariners defence.
Key player…
Mark Birighitti. It’s no secret that the Mariners have had a fair share of goalkeeper problems during previous seasons but the arrival of Birighitti may put an end to all that.
The goalkeeper joins the yellow and navy after an unsuccessful stint at Melbourne City and brings safe pair of hands to the club, as fans have already seen in the FFA Cup after his penalty heroics against Brisbane.
One to watch…
Samuel Silvera. Silvera made the switch up north from rivals Western Sydney Wanderers after being promised senior playing time from Stajcic. The exciting prospect is an explosive winger who contains a lot of pace and trickery which has been seen already during this season’s FFA Cup run. Though he may not be a certain starter, Silvera is a game changer and possesses a threat that the Mariners sorely need.
INS: Mark Birighitti (Melbourne City). Ziggy Gordon (Hamilton Athletic), Giancarlo Gallifuoco (Western Sydney Wanderers), Ruon Tongyik (Brisbane Roar), Abraham Majok (Western Sydney Wanderers), Kim Eun-Sun (Suwon Bluewings), Samuel Silvera (Western Sydney Wanderers), Milan Ðurić (Vojvodina), Dylan Fox (FC Anyang), Gianni Stensness (Wellington Phoenix)
OUTS: Matthew Millar, Jonathan Aspropotamitis, Connor Pain, Sam Graham, Stephen Mallon, Peter Kekeris, Tom Hiariej, Corey Gameiro, Joe Gauci, Andrew Hoole, Ben Kennedy, Aidan O’Neill, Jem Karacan
Full squad list
Goalkeepers: Mark Birighitti, Adam Pearce
Defenders: Jack Clisby, Dylan Fox, Giancarlo Gallifuoco, Ziggy Gordan, Kye Rowles, Ruon Tongyik
Midfielders: Daniel Desilva, Milan Ðurić, Kim Eun-Sun, Michael McGlinchey, Jacob Melling, Joshua Nisbet, Mario Shabow, Gianni Stensness
Forwards: Abraham Majok, Jordan Murray, Tommy Oar, Samuel Silvera, Matt Simon
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