So ‘they' say in order to have a successful season teams must come away with something out of the games where they do not play well. So if the game between the Mariners and Victory is any indication then the Mariners may just be building toward a great season.

Last night the Mariners were probably 10% off the pace they have set for themselves over the last month of the A-League season. The passes were just not quite sticking, they were slightly slow or quick and even just wide of the man. The first touches were bobbling off the pitch and the 50-50 tackles were dropping to the Victory feet not the Coasties.

This meant Victory had the better of the running for the majority of the game and the Mariners were playing catch-up football all game (even when they were in front in the first half). The Mariners were constantly required to get more players behind the ball and try to play off the break.

Melbourne Victory looked quite comfortable going forward and they played a great pressure defensive style. But the Mariners were able to hang in there and hang in there to steal two points away from Victory and add one of their own tally. I have to say I thought Victory probably deserved the three points and this is the best game I have seen them play this season so far (although I have not watched all of their games).

But the Mariners grit and determination really impressed me and this is what you need if you are going to have a good season. If a team can have an off night and still possibly come away with a point then the night's the is switched right on will ensure you take all three. I know Victory supporters will feel very unlucky that an Own Goal allowed the Mariners to equalise but in football teams can make their own luck.

The Mariners on that corner really did make their own luck, they got the corner from some nice play down the right, a great in swinging corner (neither of these two things were luck by the way). Then the luck started, the defence missed the swinging kick, the ball collected Wilko in his.... well let's say bread basket and then that touch from Petko that took it to the back of the net with Kwasi looking over it.

So if a gritty game is one of the things you look for to indicate a team is headed for something special then the Mariners may just be building for a top two finish.

The other thing that I was really impressed with in the Victory game was the reactions and tactical changes the coaching staff called for and the implementation of the tactics by the players. I have no doubt that most coaches have the capability to call for a tactical change and at least half could call them at the right time in a game.

However I think it is a far lower proportion of coaches who can have the team so well drilled that when he calls for a change on the fly the players react within seconds to do what is needed.

Last night the Mariners changed gears on several different occasions (particularly when goals were being scored) with the exception of the gap between the two Victory goals (which were so close together that they did not have a chance to get into gear let alone change it) the Mariners successfully changed speed and tactics to match the wishes of the coach.

This is something that the Mariners in years gone by could not do. This ability shows that this squad unlike some of the past squads are drilled and disciplined so well that they can change the mindset of the team with a single word from the gaffer.

I think when you look back on a season you can always point to the games you win 5-0 and 3-0 and say how good was that, but when you really look at your season in the cold light of day it is the games like this draw between the Mariners and Victory that show the strength of a season.

Having said all of this why do the commentators and experts still rave and talk up the other teams and down play the Mariners. I can understand Arnie talking the team success down at this stage especially with a number of younger guys in the team but really come on Trimmers give the Mariners a bit of a compliment.

It almost feels like the commentators are just waiting for the Mariners bubble to burst, I hope those waiting for the bubble to burst are holding their breathe while they do it!