Going, Going....

On Field.

On the field things are seemingly good. Disregarding an Olyroos-inflicted change to the line up the Gold Coast looked good for the win and are unlucky to not have found the net on a night of numerous chances. Culina marshalled the team from an unfortunately less attacking position while Traore terrorised the wings again. In fact the defence and mid field were superb on the whole, it was just having to find the final ball in the final third against "that" sort of game plan.

What do I mean by "that"? We all joke about the Mariners final two years under McKinna and the tedious long ball game. Most people believed Graham Arnold would continue this same tactic but it's not until you see it live that you truly suffer the whole impact.

The ref puts the whistle to his mouth and a shrill blast pierces the cold rain soaked air. The Mariners have the kick off and start with a sideways pass. Another follows in quick succession, and less than 30 seconds in the ball is bombed forward to Matt Simon. We all laugh with that "there goes the long ball" look on our faces, but believing it to be just a test of United awareness. After all Arnold brought in Perez a gifted midfielder and to be fair for a while he did play the 8-1-1, but when he became too impatient with playing the ball on the ground the old faithful 9-0-1 went back into action. The only hitch in Arnold's plan was the unexpected and unwanted shot on goal in the 93^rd minute.

However putting all that aside, when United did breach the bus they did not have the quality to finish their chances. Djite looks short of a gallop and will have to find his touch quickly if United are to find the goals. It is the mark of a champion team to break down anything, no matter how negative, and win the day. This is something Miron must improve on.

Off Field.

What can I say that you didn't see for yourself? The crowd of die-hards and football supporters that averaged 5000ish in the first season dwindled for this season. They reduced to 3000+ after the re-introduction of the cap and dropped again to 2000 the next home game. This Wednesday they actually face the prospect of beating New Zealand for the lowest crowd ever for an A-league game.

The two camps "boycot until FFA steps in" and "bust the cap by showing up" are so split that each camp boasts thousands of members. People from rival clubs are pissed and rightly so, with all the turmoil around the league people are scared and blaming the LOYAL fans that the Gold Coast has is a popular outlet. Although these fans turn up and protest and support a team through all these odds, they are labelled the worst in the league. In fact I believe they are the best in the league for the very same reason. Given the same circumstances I would not believe any club could contain this same intensity and camaraderie that I have witnessed in these previous 3 home games.

In the end we as fans, the same as NQ fury, the same as the Jets, the same as all us fans, we can only keep turning up, and despite no advertising and promotion of the games being played by our own clubs or the governing body we will still turn up and sing our teams on.

The script has been written and only Clive knows the ending. Keep the club and push through a third season, or throw it in for the FFA to decide. That decision would be to fold the club and we all know that. Promote us or kill us, they are the options.

The final thought tonight is provided by fellow united supporter and friend of the Forum Gaz (you made it back into a blog mate!). He provided an insight into connecting with the local 'soccer' scene and the lost opportunities for promotion. For the club's pre-season game versus the Fury, our last before the season, the Gold Coast Premier League offered the club to play the current first and second placed teams for that round as a curtain raiser. They suggested $10 adults and kids U18 free, this was dismissed and the game went ahead at $20 a pop. Also on this same week end the local league had its finals and drew a crowd comparable to what turned up on Sunday afternoon. Take from that what you will.

Promote us or kill us.....