IN HIS tiny yellow and navy scarf, “Super Ted” sat propped up bravely against the team water bottles. Sadly, a gust of nasty Wellington wind blew him over, leaving his furry bandaged leg sticking forlornly up in the air.

Just like the team mascot, this weekend the Mariners felt the bitter chill of what Andy Harper calls "the single most annoying meteorological condition". Granted, playing away to the 'Nix is one of the toughest gigs in the A-League, but this was a massive windblown come down from last week's 3-0 party.

It was a frustrating match to watch, no doubt for 'Nix fans as well. Both sides had some great chances that didn't eventuate, not to mention a lovely goal from Travis where Simon was unfortunately judged to have "wandered" into an offside position. So what can you say about a match where Wilko nearly scores his second goal but instead ends up with a rare yellow card ? Where Macca might have been awarded a penalty but instead ends up with a booking for supposed simulation ?

I could launch into a disgruntled criticism of the ref's decisions but the truth is, a draw was a fair result. With only two points now separating the top 7 teams, it's only to be expected that fans will get fired up about what they see as "unfair" results and "dodgy" decisions. I may not always agree with them, but I'm glad they feel passionate enough to speak their minds.

Let's face it, we've all had a public rant at some time about how our team was "robbed", whether this was in the pub, the stands or in a public forum like this one (FourFourTwo : a veritable haven for ranters). If you haven't, you're probably either a Buddhist or don't really like football that much.

But while football fans are usually forgiven for their partisan comments and righteous anger, coaches are seemingly expected to be diplomatic and rational at all times. Surely this is unfair. If a coach cares about his team and the job he is doing, he is bound to have the occasional public outburst. Doesn't this simply show how much passion he has for the game ?

Coaches' feisty comments are entertaining and often instigate discussion about genuinely important issues. Miron and Viddy are always good value and even Lawrie has been known to show his irritation in public. And why shouldn't he ? Who'd want a coach that didn't care ?

Most football fans would have forgiven Branko Culina for his outburst last week after the Jets' rather harsh loss to Sydney FC. Branko's comments were understandable under the circumstances and would soon have been brushed aside, but for another pedantic article by our old friend Fozzie.

Instead of recognising that Branko's remarks were driven by a genuine and justifiable sense of hurt, Fozz pompously suggested that Branko be disqualified from the coaching profession "on the basis of ignorance". He cannot be serious.

But that's not all. In a convoluted attempt to defend Lavicka as a "superior" coach, he bizarrely states that "regardless of whether he is ultimately successful, at least we know Lavicka is coaching the players within his system to an advanced level."

What a beautifully empty argument. If Sydney do well this season it's because Lavicka is a superior coach and if they don't do well he's still a superior coach. Of course, how stupid of me ! Sydney fans - don't be sad if you don't get into the finals this year because you're still Number One in the style stakes !

Gosh ! Aren't you grateful we have football experts like Fozzie to guide us ?

Last year, after his criticisms of Pim Verbeek were widely questioned, Fossie wrote an impassioned article stating that being able to openly criticise was a sign of a mature footballing nation. I agree. But the freedom to make critical comment cannot be reserved for a few designated experts with access to some higher "truth".

As that great Irish international Oscar Wilde once noted, "the truth is rarely pure and never simple."

Coaches have every right to speak their minds, as do players and fans. We all have a different and valid perspective to bring to the great Australian football conversation. And here's the big news : we don't need to seek permission from the "elders" before we dare open our mouths.