THE MARINERS need a win this week as they have never needed a win before. Not simply because they must win to progress in the ACL, but because a win would surely help clear the grey clouds that seem to have engulfed both the team and the fans for four very long months.

While there have been occasional glimmers in the ACL of the team who fire-blasted opposition earlier last season, the truth is only a win can really begin to heal the wounds and silence the doubters. Only a win can blast away the cobwebs that must beset any team dogged by repeated losses.

Call me deluded, crazy or simply blinded by love, but I have every certainty the Mariners will beat Pohang. Matt Simon will score early and boosted by this psychological edge, the team in yellow will show the Steelyard fans what steel really means. They showed what they were made of by coming back at Kawasaki at home after a crippling defeat. Any team capable of such mental strength is capable of anything.

So much is written about football tactics but sometimes the game seems to be won or lost in the mind as much as in the midfield. One of the factors that seems crucial to a team's self-belief, as well as the belief and support of fans, is the presence of certain players. There are players whose charisma (for want of a better word) seems to elevate team spirit and add a touch of class.

Much has been said about the loss of Jedinak, but it was the likes of Aloisi, Vidmar and more recently Bozza that brought magic to the Mariners in past seasons. Their maturity, leadership and experience at the highest level provided a crucial balance to the raw talent and enthusiasm of younger players. David Carney would have been an ideal addition for next season but sadly, this won't happen.

Of course all A-League imports should ideally fill this role, as well as put "bums on seats". Unfortunately, while some have been winners others have turned out more like Wonderbras: seeming to offer more than they actually deliver. For every winner like Reinaldo or Fred we get the Wonderbras like Jardel or Romario.

Next season's imports, however, look certain to be winners: Fowler, Culina, Denilson and now Recoba (Recoba ! Bring it on !) As a football fan, I'm thrilled at the prospect of watching such players, but as a Mariners fan I can't help but think - "I want some of that".

The Mariners have largely focused on signing Australian-based players and while this has served the team well up till now, the A-League is rapidly changing. The increasing temptation for young A-League players to seek bigger opportunities elsewhere as well as the increase in team numbers means more competition for Australia's home grown talent. On top of this, the calibre of talent now coming to the A-League from overseas means higher fan expectations. As the A-League moves ever onwards and upwards, clubs will need to adapt or be left behind.

As we head towards Season Five, Mariners fans need to see a team that is capable of competing at the increasingly challenging level of an expanding league. Sure, we respect the players we have but surely their skills can only be enhanced by playing alongside more mature and high quality imports, players who have benefitted from facing much higher pressures and much longer seasons than any A-League player ever has.

Although currently committed to the club, the likes of Simon, Vukes and Heffernan are known to be interested in moving overseas. And who can blame them ? While some football experts urge caution, our national coach has made no secret of the fact that he rates players with overseas experience highly. Jedinak's appearance for the Socceroos against Uzbekistan, after a mere three months at Genclerbirligi, proved Pim meant what he said. What young player with overseas clubs sniffing around could fail to notice and take heed ?

One thing's for certain - the fans need something to get excited about and Bluetongue can only shine brighter with a little bling (foreign accent optional). Perhaps when Bozza turned up the other day to give the team a morale boost it was an omen. Hands up who wants to hear his voice booming out to our defenders again when Vukes gets poached?

Mariners to beat Pohang 2-0. First Goal at 15 mins (Simon), second goal at 85 minutes (Gumprecht). Defending of set pieces : priceless.