DESPITE a fairly courageous game against Pohang, it is clear the Mariners are in need of a substantial overhaul.
Management has at last conceded that the current playing staff needs refreshing, and that as a consequence we will be saying goodbye to several stalwarts from that have graced Bluetongue since the very beginning, some four years ago. There has apparently been some interest from overseas in Simon, Heffernan and Vukovic, and of course a few other players will be off contract shortly.
Just what player moves are ultimately sanctioned by McKinna, and the management team, is an interesting question to ponder. In terms of exits, I wouldn't hesitate to realise on any potential cash gains from the departures of aforementioned trio. None of these players ultimately proved indispensable in the season just past.
Simon is a good player with upside, however other players of at least his quality will be available. Unfortunately, Heffernan has never recaptured his debut A-league season form, and Vukovic hasn't been quite the same since the grand final incident, although the degree to which he was exposed by our porous defense doesn't help.
Taking emotional attachment out of the equation, I expect others that should be let go are Clark (to stay as fitness coach), Gumprecht, Mrdja, Kwasnik, O'Grady, and more recent additions Owens and Rizzo. Note I say 'should', not 'will'.
The need is in the spine of the team. A new, more reliable centre back (I'm sorry but both Boogaard and Wilkinson were badly exposed this season), a Musialik/Murdocca type holding midfielder is essential as Huke looks like backup material so far, and a new quick footed attacker/forward would add much needed variation to the attack.
I will go out on limb and forecast that both Elrich and MacAllister will work out, however after a promising start Caceres went off the boil last season. Bojic also shows some promise, but is error prone.
McKinna does have a decent track record in finding effective local league talent, and I'd suggest he needs to really broaden his scouting criteria to look at quick and skilful players like Ali Abbas, the young Iraqi midfielder playing at Marconi in the NSW Premier League. Clearly, given the talent the Sydney Youth team were able to field also suggests any number of players are available out there to rebuild squad depth.
The key to success will be finding a two or three new players that encourage a change of footballing culture at Bluetongue. We need to be able to adapt to different game situations far better, and this will require some more speed, skill and general creativity.
The new players on the horizon are possibly steps in the right direction, but as Robbie Slater said the other night, 'they don't exactly fire the imagination', or words to that effect. Travis, Wijoka (I think), and possibly Oliver Bozanic look like players that may end up being like for like replacements.
If the Mariners are serious about being challengers again next season they need to be prepared to spend some money. The club may be in better financial shape than a couple of its colleagues (Roar and Reds), however this is where we need a clear statement of intent, and the actions to back it up.
The club either continues down its current path of doing things on the cheap and everyone lowers their expectations, or they aspire to greater things, which means someone has to put their hand in the wallet.
