Recruiting:
Ins: Chris Doig (Northampton Town, England - 2 years), Shane Huke (Dagenham & Redbridge, England – 1 year), Adam Kwasnik (Wellington Phoenix – 2 years), Matthew Lewis (Central Coast Mariners NYL – 1 year).
Outs: Andre Gumprecht (released), Mile Jedinak (Genclerbirligi, Turkey), Matthew Osman (Gold Coast United). Sasho Petrovski (Newcastle Jets), Paul O'Grady (released), Greg Owens (released), Nick Rizzo (released)
Re-signed: Andrew Clark (1 year), Andrew Redmayne (2 years)
Analysis:
Chris Doig is a 188cm defender who played more than 200 games for Nottingham Forest and Northampton Town in the English lower divisions. The 28-year-old Scotman's experience, presence and composure on the ball will be invaluable for the Mariners as they look to shore up a defence that leaked goals at an alarming rate during the ill-fated Asian Champions League campaign. Matthew Lewis has been added to the full-time squad after impressing in the National Youth League last season. Coach Lawrie McKinna was keen not to rush the teenager's progress, but Lewis' assured performances from the midfield made his case irresistible. Englishman Nicky Travis adds to the midfield depth.
Pre-Season:
It's been a rushed and busy preparation for the Mariners, with seven trial matches crammed into just five weeks. But the results make for positive reading. There have been wins over Queensland State League side Logan United (2-1), Hyundai A-League newcomers North Queensland Fury (1-0) and Belconnen United (3-0). The Mariners have also racked up draws against Sydney FC, Wellington Phoenix, Gold Coast United and a Capital Football select XI.
Improvements:
It's appropriate the Central Coast Mariners are based on the coast because they sure did ship in some goals last season. Coach Lawrie McKinna knew it was a massive problem and has set about rectifying the shortcomings. And the early signs are good. The blue and golds have been noticeably more miserly at the back during the pre-season, thanks mainly to a solid defensive combination consisting Chris Doig, Alex Wilkinson, Nigel Boogaard and Dean Heffernan.
Concerns:
The Mariners are still searching for their first competitive win of 2009 after falling away badly in the second half of last season. Their last win came on New Year's Eve 2008. They were embarrassingly inadequate at times during the Asian Champions League and coach Lawrie McKinna was right to instigate a player cleanout. There have been no major signings during the winter break and you just wonder if they possess the class and depth to go with the bigger clubs.
Key player:
Goalkeeper Danny Vukovic is looking a lot sharper and admits he's got something to prove after a form slump towards the back-end of last year. McKinna rates his shot-stopper the best in the A-League and has backed him to return to his best in 09/10.
Up or down?
The Mariners have delighted in punching above their weight from day one of the Hyundai A-League. They have made the finals three out of four years and now boast ACL experience on their CV. But you wonder if this might be the year Lawrie McKinna finds there's no more juice left to squeeze. The bookies have been lukewarm in their appraisal, placing Central Coast on the sixth line of betting at $11. The bagmen are obviously predicting a mid-table finish – and they rarely get it wrong.
Coach's Quote - Lawrie McKinna
"Our finish wasn’t great last season but the boys are very positive. We've had a great pre-season and done well against A-League opposition. We've been very solid."
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Check out all our 2009-10 A-League Team Previews:
Adelaide United | Brisbane Roar | Central Coast Mariners | Gold Coast United | Melbourne Victory | Newcastle Jets | North Queensland Fury | Perth Glory | Sydney FC | Wellington Phoenix