Centre Back Concerns

[skilbeck]

Who are we going to fit into that role next week with Viddie suspended? how long do O Grady and Wilko have left? and who will be acting captain next week?

[Fish]

Does pose a little selection headache for the 3 wise men.

Could bring Clarkey into the middle depending on fitness? I think Wilko and Stringers are a ways off from resuming.
Bring Ossie into the middle , Clarke or Porter on the right?

[Ursus]

Clarke into the middle with the armband.

[Jesus]

2 words.
Andrew Clarke.

Done and done

[marinermick]

ursus said:

Clarke into the middle with the armband.

lawrie hinted clarky at yesterday's press conference

choices are diminishing for the armband

would certainly be out of clarky, gumpy or sash, possibly danny as a smokey

interesting that viddy did not give it to anyone when he came off

[bikinigirl]

marinermick said:

ursus said:

Clarke into the middle with the armband.

lawrie hinted clarky at yesterday's press conference

choices are diminishing for the armband

would certainly be out of clarky, gumpy or sash, possibly danny as a smokey

interesting that viddy did not give it to anyone when he came off

. yeah i was watching when he came off, he was playing with it a fair bit

. i thought we would get a clue as to who would wear it next week, but he just adjusted it and walked off

[LeedsMariner#4]

It's gotta be Clarkey
Heff could be a possibility for captain

[brett]

Clarky or Heff for captain with Hutcho as a smokey.

[LeedsMariner#4]

Hutcho wouldn't be bad
He has been fantastic this season if you know what i mean
(anyone seen his post match interview? count the number of times he says if you know what i mean!)

[Andy]

Clarkey to take both roles. I remember him getting it a couple of times when Spenny came off the field in V1.
Maybe Heff or Gumps would be the other contenders.

[DJ]

Has to be Clark at CB we have no1 else.

As for captain, it could be anyone.......I was told who the vice captain was but not sure if Lawrie will go that option, hope he does thou.

[serious14]

Danny as captain - hahahahaha, imagine how fired up he'd be all game?!? Clark is probably the best bet for the armband though, but I wouldn't mind seeing Gumps get it.

[Perm]

judging by how he has been playing, i would put Boogs as captain

[radinho]

afrosean said:

judging by how he has been playing, i would put Boogs as captain

usuallly the captain is oldor someone with a lot of experiance and boogs has only played 4 full games in his mariners career

[Andy]

Boogard's age would stop him from getting given the armband. However he is only 1 year younger than Wilko was when he first got given the armband in November last year. He could be a possibility but I doubt it.

Maybe Ian McAndrew could even be an outside chance of a spot inn the back 4.

[~Floss~]

Well, no surprises here really:

www.ccmariners.com.au/default.aspx?s=ccfc_news_item&id=19315

by Benjamin Coonan

Back to the future for local boy Clark

Tuesday, 18 September 2007

Following the suspension of captain Tony Vidmar, the Central Coast Mariners back line is set to be bolstered by the return of experienced defender Andrew Clark at Bluetongue Stadium on Sunday.
One of seven Central Coast born or raised players in the Mariners line up, Clark has featured off the bench at the Mariners’ last two outings – away to the Queensland Roar and most recently at Melbourne’s Telstra Dome against the Victory.

In such time, Clark has barely managed five minutes of game time, but the local veteran is set for his most significant contribution of the new season on Sunday, given the absence of injured regular captain Alex Wilkinson and his suspended deputy Vidmar.

Having endured a tougher pre-season than most due to an inguinal ligament strain, Clark has made just the solitary competitive starting appearance for his hometown club this campaign, that being against the Queensland Roar in the playoff for third place of the 2007 Pre-Season Cup.

Clark contributed one half on that occasion, but is primed to last the distance on Sunday if selected, where he will be hoping to maintain the Mariners’ outstanding defensive efforts so far this Hyundai A-League season.

"It’s difficult in the Hyundai A-League, without the opportunity to play games when you’re not selected, but you’ve got to be ready when your chance comes and hopefully I get mine this week," said Clark.

"My pre-season was difficult and interrupted with injury and I’ve just been trying to work my way back up to match fitness and make sure that I can fill those big shoes."

After keeping a clean sheet against the Melbourne Victory last Sunday, the Mariners have equaled their record for consecutive Hyundai A-League shut outs.

Clean sheets against Sydney FC, the Wellington Phoenix, the Queensland Roar and the Victory in the opening four rounds of the new season has repeated the club record set by the Mariners in 2006/07, where four clean sheets between Round 13 and Round 16 saw the Mariners play 411 minutes without conceding a goal.

Currently, the Mariners have played 394 Hyundai A-League minutes without conceding a goal and are one full game shy of the all-time Hyundai A-League record for consecutive clean sheets, which was set by southern rivals Sydney FC between November 2006 and January 2007 last season.

"Nigel Boogaard has been solid as a rock back there and Viddie’s stepped in for Wilko who was also doing well, now I’ve got to carry that on," said Clark.

"It’s all part of a season, you don’t normally get success with the same eleven players throughout a whole season and if we’re going to be successful we need every player in the squad to be ready to go at any time."

The Mariners return to their Bluetongue Stadium home to host the Perth Glory this Sunday, 23 September. Kick off is at 5pm.

Tickets are now on sale from Ticketek outlets, from the Ticketek website – www.ticketek.com.au, or via phone on 132 849.

The Mariners Membership marquee will be set up in Dane Drive at Sunday’s match – Members can sign up on the day and receive entry to Sunday’s game covered by their Membership.

Mariners Memberships for the Hyundai A-League 2007/08 season are now available for purchase online at www.ccmariners.com.au, or from Rebel Sports outlets at Erina and Tuggerah.

© Central Coast Mariners

Does it actually mention captaincy? sort of almost hinted-at in Clarky's interview.

[bradley]

I don't really care who gets the captaincy. All they do anyway is toss the coin and after match interviews i mean anyone could do that.
Anyway
Clarky at CB and maybe Porter at right back?

[marinermick]

bradley said:

I don't really care who gets the captaincy. All they do anyway is toss the coin and after match interviews i mean anyone could do that.
Anyway
Clarky at CB and maybe Porter at right back?

and where will matt osman play?

[shipwreck]

Matty Osman hasnt put a foot wrong all season, on his current form i wouldnt even consider buying a specialist right back even if one dropped on our laps..
One of our greatest strengths is our ability to attack from the back, with heffs speed and strength on the left and Osmans technical ability and aerial strength its a pretty strong pair!
We even got praise from harper and slater about that, and since we dont wear sky blue and dwell on the bottom of the table, thats saying something!

[marinermick]

shipwreck said:

Matty Osman hasnt put a foot wrong all season, on his current form i wouldnt even consider buying a specialist right back even if one dropped on our laps..
One of our greatest strengths is our ability to attack from the back, with heffs speed and strength on the left and Osmans technical ability and aerial strength its a pretty strong pair!
We even got praise from harper and slater about that, and since we dont wear sky blue and dwell on the bottom of the table, thats saying something!

well said