After a promising performance in the #F3Derby, the Mariners will be looking to get back in the winner’s circle away from home against Adelaide United. After training on Friday, Mike Mulvey spoke with media.
Friday also marked the first training session of Mulvey’s newest recruit, Jem Karacan who linked up with his Mariners team mates for the first time.
With a win, a draw and a loss to their names in the last three fixtures, Mulvey talked about the importance of returning from Adelaide with a positive result.
Adelaide are coming off the back of a draw with Perth Glory and are sitting fifth on the Hyundai A-League ladder.
On a balmy 30 degree day at Pluim Park, Jem Karacan completed his first training session with #CCMFC.
The former @ReadingFC Club Captain wants to lead by example on the Central Coast! #ALeague pic.twitter.com/9iBf32VJ8a
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) January 25, 2019
Mulvey in the media (CLICK HERE to watch Mike Mulvey’s press conference).
Reflection on the #F3Derby
“I think it was a fairly even first half we probably came out of the blocks a little bit slow and Newcastle put us under a little bit of pressure but we withstood that. We’ve got one of the youngest back lines in the whole A-league probably ever I would say, and the lads are doing very very well.
“Overall we had you know 82 front third entries which translated to about 23 creative threats so we are doing everything right and we are improving and that’s all connected to the human side, the communication, the leadership and we just need to get that extra little bit of composure in front of goal. I think on any other day we probably would have won the game.
“The players were very much in pain afterwards – it was one that got away and the same thing happened against Brisbane. So, that tells me that we are turning the corner and hasn’t translated into points on the table at the moment but there’s probably a few other reasons for that.
Josh Nisbet’s A-League debut…
“Nizzy is a young lad that’s come through our academy and we’re very proud of the fact that he came on the other day and he gave the performance that he did. It’s been part of his education that he’s been training with the first team since the off-season and when we came into pre-season he’s been training regularly, he was given his opportunity and then he did what he did so very pleased with his and it’s the first step on the ladder.
46’ | SUB:
➡️ Nisbet ON
⬅️ Hiariej OFFA HUGE congrats to Josh Nisbet who makes his @ALeague debut. Well in, Nizzy! #CCMFC #F3Derby #ALeague pic.twitter.com/EfifF33DuE
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) January 23, 2019
The arrival of Jem Karacan…
“It’s great to have Jem here. He’s all set to go, he’s had all his medicals and he’s signed. So, it’s just about the visa now so the immigration department as soon as they rubber stamp that he’ll be able to play. But you know there’s an acclimatisation period, he was in London a few days ago and it was minus one degrees there, and he’s here now in a bit of a heat wave. He’s very keen and trained well this morning. Not to put too much pressure on him but he’s here to play.
“It’s very good for the squad, it adds depth to the lads and I told the lads that’s what we were trying to do bring some extra depth.
“We don’t need to talk him up he needs to do the talking on the pitch and I’m sure he will do that.
Your opponents, Adelaide United…
“Adelaide are a good side, a tough side. Well drilled, they’ve got some decent players that can cause you problems if you don’t look after them. But, they also have their vulnerabilities and we need to make sure that we can try and find those vulnerabilities.
The return of Matt Simon…
“Matt had a bit of a break by missing that game so, that was a plus in that regard, he was able to get a bit more rest. We did miss him and it will be good to have him back and his leadership qualities will be needed on Sunday for sure,” Mulvey said.
Squad lists
Adelaide United squad: 1.Daniel MARGUŠ (gk), 2.Michael MARRONE, 3.Scott GALLOWAY, 4.Ryan STRAIN, 6.Vince LIA, 7.Ryan KITTO, 8.Isaías SÁNCHEZ (c), 10.Ken ILSØ, 11.Craig GOODWIN, 14.George BLACKWOOD, 16.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS, 17.Nikola MILEUSNIĆ, 20.Paul IZZO (gk), 22.Michael JAKOBSEN, 23.Jordan ELSEY, 26.Ben HALLORAN, 27.Louis D’ARRIGO, 32.Carlo ARMIENTO
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 32.Carlo ARMIENTO (promoted), 22.Michael JAKOBSEN (returns from suspension)
Outs: nil
Unavailable: 9.Baba DIAWARA (knee), 18.Lachlan BROOK (knee), 33.Apostolos STAMATELOPOULOS (quad)
Central Coast Mariners squad: 1.Ben KENNEDY (gk), 2.Jonathan ASPROPOTAMITS, 3.Jack CLISBY, 6.Tom HIARIEJ, 7.Andrew HOOLE, 8.Michael McGLINCHEY, 11.Connor PAIN, 12.Adam PEARCE (gk), 13.Aiden O’NEILL, 15.Kye ROWLES, 16.Josh MACDONALD, 17.Peter KEKERIS, 18.Matt MILLAR, 22.Jacob MELLING, 23.Mario SHABOW, 25.Jordan MURRAY, 26.Josh NISBET, 27.Charles M’MOMBWA
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 16.Josh MACDONALD (promoted), 17.Peter KEKERIS (promoted), 26.Josh NISBET (promoted), 27.Charles M’MOMBWA (promoted)
Outs: 19.Matt SIMON (suspended – accumulation of yellow cards) & 4.Jake McGING (hamstring)
Unavailable: 21.Corey GAMEIRO (calf) & 10.Tommy OAR (leg injury)
Central Coast Mariners squad: 1.Ben KENNEDY (gk), 2.Jonathan ASPROPOTAMITS, 3.Jack CLISBY, 6.Tom HIARIEJ, 7.Andrew HOOLE, 8.Michael McGLINCHEY, 11.Connor PAIN, 12.Adam PEARCE (gk), 13.Aiden O’NEILL, 15.Kye ROWLES, 16.Josh MACDONALD, 17.Peter KEKERIS, 18.Matt MILLAR, 19.Matt SIMON (c), 22.Jacob MELLING, 23.Mario SHABOW, 25.Jordan MURRAY, 26.Josh NISBET
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 19.Matt SIMON (return from suspension) & 23.Mario SHABOW (return from injury)
Outs: nil
Unavailable: 21.Corey GAMEIRO (calf) & 10.Tommy OAR (leg injury), 4.Jake McGING (hamstring)
Opta Stat Attack
- Adelaide are undefeated in their last five games against the Mariners, their longest winning streak against the Mariners in the league
- In three of the last four A-League games between Adelaide and the Mariners at Coopers Stadium have seen the Mariners score two goals (D1, L1)
- Adelaide have conceded just two first half goals in their last 11 games at Coopers Stadium, however they have also conceded 11 second half goals in that period
- The Mariner are winless in their last 18 league games away from home
- Adelaide have conceded just 25% of their goals in the first half this season, the least of any other team
- The Mariners (21) and Adelaide (24 have been caught offside fewer than any other teams this season
- Jordan Elsey has blocked 14 shots this season, the second most of any player in the league
- Vince Lia & Aiden O’Neill have both been shown six yellow cards this season, more than any other player in the league
Match Details
Hyundai A-League Round 16
Sunday, 27 January 2019
Match: Adelaide United vs. Central Coast Mariners
Venue: Coopers Stadium, Adelaide
Kick-off: 6:00pm (AEDT)
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS AUSTRALIA
Hash-tag: Join the match conversation using #ADLvCCM & #CCMFC
