I think the league is young more than it’s weak. Clubs are spending less and they’re going for kids - as a league I think we’re getting a bit smarter on that score. I’d rather see us signing tomorrow’s stars than yesterday’s.
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I think it’s weak and young.
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I tend to lean towards shabby’s feelings on this. Sure, most clubs have younger squads now, which in itself is to be applauded, but you need to complement that with at least solid foreign signings to guide the younger players. I know money is tighter but I don’t know if there’s a lot of experience coming into the league that will help youngsters succeed in even mid-tier European leagues.
After a decent look at all of the squads for this season, there’s very few squads, even on paper, that have improved. Most have gone backwards at worst or sideways at best, which is what I think will save Central Coast from spiralling far down the table.
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When does it stop being young? We are 20 years old now… when does maturity set in…
in my case I am 46 and still act like a child
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I just think - while I was sort of only watching out of the corner of my eye, and I could see that the Mariners were letting them run the middle a fair bit - looking at the technical and physical level of the Buriram players, I’d say that I could pretty much see them doing that to any given Aleague side.
Mariners might not be where they were at the end of last season, but I don’t think they’re a million miles off the pace. They just played a team that was better than them and better than what they’re used to playing against.
The Buriram squad is worth more than twice what CCM’s is according to Transfermarkt.
I truly hope you are right and I am just being pessimistic. If mariners are there at the end, even in the top 4, either the other teams have gone severely backwards or Mark Jackson is a world quality coach.
However, Mariners strength has been in their midfield with Josh Nisbett and Max Ballard being the heart and head of the team. They more than any other players were the ones that will be irreplaceable.
It is going to take more than one season to develop another midfield combo from youth to match them.
Those two were the reason we could lose the players we did 2 seasons ago and still win back to back championships plus the premiership and that Asian pot.
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Yeah that’s a gut punch to the team for sure.
Particularly after losing a whole forward line, then in consecutive seasons losing a quality partner for Kaltak.
You cant just keep doing that an expect to be fine each season.
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And it looks like Sainsbury is out for at least four months as well
Only one two-win team in the Eastern Conference - Gwangju.
Next outing for CCM, away against Shanghai Port (draw and loss) probably a must win.
Muscats team, so goes without saying the nation is behind the Mariners next time out.
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I doubt anyone really cares, but just for completeness…
The women’s ACL wrapped up the group stage over the weekend.
This is the same comp that our girls flew to Uzbekistan last year to compete in, when it went by the name AFC Womens Club Championship. We ended up being bundled out in the group stage, coming second in our group to Incheon Red Angels. The final between Uruwa and Incheon was initially cancelled, but then was eventually held with Uruwa taking a 2-1 win in Saitama.
In this year’s running, Melbourne Lady-Heart has topped their group to progress to the knockout stage, which doesn’t start until March next year.
They won all 3 of their matches in Thailand against the might of Iran’s Bam Khatoon, the familiar-sounding Kaya-Iloilo, and a Thailand outfit with the terrifyingly intimidating name of College of Asian Scholars.
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I assume they have the Hamilton Academicals covered
Not off to a great start. Mariners conceding within 2 minutes with some very poor defence
First I miss the City goal v Newcastle due to P+ crashing, now the Mariners concede less than 5 mins in and I get home 5 min after kickoff.
Can teams stop conceding in the opening few mins? K thx.
That front duo of Edmondson and Kuol does not inspire any confidence. Really don’t think the Mariners will have the juice this season.
I find it strange the Mariners haven’t found a shirt sponsor for the Champions League.
Even something game by game…
Shanghai Port sponsors by MG, get BYD, Zeekr, Deepak (other Chinese car brands that are/ or will soon be in Australia)
Kuol with a couple decent chances for the Mariners, but still second fiddle to Shanghai who could/should have 2 or 3.