Mariners dream starting XI

[northernspirit]

Who would you have?

For me:

----- Henry ----- Eto'o------------------

--- Podolski ---- Grella ---- Gerrard ---- Cahill
------ Makalele -------

----- Cannavaro ----- Neill ---- Terry-----

---------- Buffon ---------

Formation
3-5-2 with one mid in a deep role

GKs
Buffon - I hate him but he is a class keeper
Mark Schwarzer - not the best in the world but a heart of gold

Defenders:
Cannavaro - Tough as nails, but he is Italian and a diver
Lucas Neill - Tough, solid and an Aussie
John Terry - Reliable, solid defender who is great at set pieces.

Mids:
Lukas Podolski - Tore opposition apart in the world cup for Germany
Vinnie Grella - Quality holding midfielder and an Aussie
Stephen Gerrard - For me a more complete player than Lampard
Claude Makalele - Brilliant at the niggly stuff and linking the defence to midfield
Tim Cahill - How could you not include him after that Japan game?

Strikers:
Thierry Henry - sometimes a bit lazy but pure class
Samuel Eto'o - Power and precision

Coach:
Lawrie McKinna

[marinermick]

moved to aussie section because really it is a long stretch that this is a mariners related thread

[ryan]

I think we might have salary cap issues with that squad Northenspirit ;D

[northernspirit]

haha just a few
maybe theyd play for the love of the game

[greenpoleffc]

Danny
Sully O Grady Wilko Vidmar
Tommy Gumps Jedi SP
Kwass Mrdja

Dream line up because none of us have seen it (have we??)

[dibo (pron. "DIB-OH")]

------------------Danny-------------------
Porter - O'Grady - Wilko - Vidmar
----------- Gumps - Jedi --------------
Kwas -------- Tommy ------------ SP
------------------ Mrdja -----------------

edited... all these players are possibly fit next week too. mrdja needs to work out what a bruised heel is (i've been very very patient, but i wouldn't mind seeing him play football... we're gonna have to make those t-shirts 'pool supporters made about harry soon), sounds like tommy and vidmar are chances, hopefully gumper is ok too.

[kevrenor]

It may need to do without:

"Soccer
Living with the enemy

Jenny Hailstone

11Jan07

IMAGINE Liverpool FC captain Steven Gerrard living in the middle of Manchester, home to the club's sworn enemy, Manchester United.

Or Sebastián Battaglia, captain of workingman's club Boca Juniors, moving north to River Plate territory in the upper-class ``barrios'' of Buenos Aires.

In England and Argentina - the protagonists of intense football rivalry - it would be unheard of, yet that's exactly what Noel Spencer, captain of the A-League's Central Coast Mariners, has done.

The 29-year-old midfielder has been commuting from his home in Sydney's Wollstonecraft to training on the Central Coast nearly every day since he first joined the Mariners in March 2005.

While he laughs off the suggestion he's living in ``enemy territory'', Spencer admits the competition between the Mariners and Sydney FC, Sydney's home team, is more intense than with other clubs.

``Every time we face Sydney FC it's a physical encounter,'' he said.

``There's not necessarily a big rivalry between us but there is a rivalry because of what happened last year. (Spencer gave away the goal in the Mariners' 1-0 loss to Sydney during the 2005 FIFA Club World Championship qualifiers.)

``It's a good rivalry, not a bitter rivalry,'' he said, before adding, ``When I come home I'm a nobody again.''

Ever the reliable captain, Spencer enjoyed a memorable season in the first 2005-06 A-League, netting five goals and helping his club lift its first-ever silverware, the 2005 Hyundai A-League Pre-Season Cup.

He looked set to lead the Mariners' charge again this year until painful tendonitis behind his right knee left him sitting on the sidelines. It was the first time in his contract with the club that he did not join his team on the field.

Spencer is philosophical about his injury but admits it was difficult watching his team from the bench.

``It's very frustrating to be watching from the sidelines, that's for sure, especially when I played all the games in the Pre-Season Cup and up to now in this year's competition,'' Spencer said.

``I get so much more nervous watching the games than playing them.''

His injured state was never more frustrating than when he watched Brazilian striker Romario - one of FIFA's top 125 greatest living footballers and a member of Maradona's ``Dream Team'' - lead Adelaide United against the Mariners at their home ground last November.

``I was very disappointed to have missed a game against Romario. It would have been a weird experience playing against him. He's an absolute legend of the game,'' Spencer said.

Cool, calm and collected, Spencer has managed to stay away from the controversy that tails ``glamour'' team Sydney FC and players such as Sasho Petrovski, who has lashed out against Sydney FC manager Terry Butcher in print.

That lack of flak could be due to the Mariners' distance from the Sydney spotlight, or it could be the old Northern Spirit synchronicity at work.

Spencer's years of experience in the old National Soccer League were highlighted by a lengthy tenure as captain of Northern Spirit, where he worked alongside manager Lawrie McKinna - now the manager of the Central Coast Mariners.

But Spencer's injury and the long, daily commutes to training on the Central Coast may have taken their toll on the usually benign captain.

He admits to considering a switch to another club - possibly Sydney - when his contract with the Mariners runs out at the end of the season.

``I know this road (the Pacific Highway up to Gosford) like the back of my hand,'' he said. ``It is a little frustrating when you're travelling five to six times a week. It does get a bit monotonous.''

A direct transfer between two rival clubs would never happen in traditional ``footballing'' nations such as England, where inter-city animosity runs high, but once again, with Spencer it's a different story. He has nothing but praise for the A-League.

``The league's been fantastic, the public's been fantastic and the amount of interest has been slowly building.
``A lot of imported players have also added to the game. It's a good stepping stone for the younger players.''

North Shore Times

[Pete]

Dear Noel,
Hate to sound like a martyr but I do the opposite of what you do......... daily! (and it's 87 Klms from my front door to work, much more than you would do on a trip from Wollstonecraft to Gosford)
Sure the commute can knock you around sometimes and a gridlock peak hour crash scenario is a real bitch. But it's called life and making a living.
But Noel......there's a heap more folks on the Coast who do the commute each day mate. That's at least 5 days a week, every week of the year except for holidays. No off season for us mere mortals.
Maybe a move back to your old stamping ground in Wollongong, and a seachange house move to the Illawarra will freshen you up son, 'cause you've been quite rusty this year. Is Wollongong in the State League?
Regards
Pete
P.S. Be aware, also, that Tomasevic has astory in the Manly Daily (no quotes from him tho just a comment from their writer) where he is allegedly considering joining the Manly Dolphins to play State League so he can spend more time with his girlfriend, who lives in Warriewood.
Seems some Mariners are really just caring sharing guys who would give up their A-League career for some lifestyle balance.
(Not a hint that they maybe getting cut for next year tho )

[Perm]

good to see noel thinks of moving to another club before moving to the coast and joining many of his fellow teammates that he leads onto the field. Players that have moved to the coast so they can be in better condition and not be a shitass, inconsistent, personality lacking, arrogant, boring player like noel.

f%$k, we call this guy our captain and he says stuff like this?
great commitment to the yellow and blue.

[kevrenor]

afrosean said:

good to see noel thinks of moving to another club before moving to the coast and joining many of his fellow teammates that he leads onto the field. Players that have moved to the coast so they can be in better condition and not be a shitass, inconsistent, personality lacking, arrogant, boring player like noel.

f%$k, we call this guy our captain and he says stuff like this?
great commitment to the yellow and blue.

That's if you believe what journalists write! I'd give him the benefit of the doubt.

[Rubbernose]

We can definitely field a dream X1 out of the squad we ave at the moment. Dunno what the parameters are for this, but I'll have a vague crack;

--------------------Vokovic-------------------
---------O'Grady---Wilko---Vidmar--------
Sully---Pondeljak--Jedi---Gumps---Heff
-------------Kwassie---Agostino------------

Or not. I dunno.

[Perm]

regardless of the article, i question his leadership capabilities.

[bikinigirl]

. how many of the boys don't actually live on the coast, anybody know
?

[greenpoleffc]

Well Noel, when I am leaving the Coast a 5.30am on Monday to enjoy the F3, Pennant Hills Road and Old Northern Road I will shed a tear for you.

When I battle the same journey in reverse, my heart will break for you.

Perhaps the difference is that I enjoy my job, love the people I work for and am appreciated by the people who pay my wages??

[Andy]

Danny
Sully...Wilko...Viddy...Heff*
........Jedi...Gumps..........
...Kwassy...Tommy...Petrie
.............Nik..................

* If he returns.

[omni]

Might want to put that little * over Nik as well

[greenpoleffc]

Hey Omni, perhaps next season you and a few of the guys could carry him around the pitch on a stretcher???