The Central Coast Mariners have probably the biggest coaching inclusion for the upcoming season but time will tell if it proves to be a good mover.
After almost a decade involved with the Australian national team, Graham Arnold takes the reins left by Lawrie McKinna and his experience tells us that the Gosford-based club could bounce back from a poor 2009/10 season.
But a coach is not always the fix required as the players are out there fighting for the points so maybe Arnold's influence will not be as strong as has been spoken about.
The team needs consistency to become a finals prospect and has to cover the huge loss of goalkeeper Danny Vukovic who has left for Turkish club Konyaspor. They also need to get everything out of their experienced strike force led by Matt Simon, Nik Mrdja and Adam Kwasnik with the addition of Daniel McBreen who found plenty of form with the Perth Glory at the end of last season.
Some relative unknowns have been added to the squad including Argentine Patricio Perez and Dutchman Patrick Zwaanswijk but it is yet to be seen if the Mariners can return to the heights of 2007/08 where they contested the Grand Final.
Last season: 8th tribalfootball's Prediction: 9th
Arrivals: Mustafa Amini (AIS), Rostyn Griffiths (North Queensland Fury), Daniel McBreen (North Queensland Fury), Matthew Ryan (youth), Sam Gallagher (Sydney FC), Joshua Rose (Universitatea Craiova, Romania), Trent Sainsbury (AIS), Oliver Bozanic (Reading, England), Marc Warren (AIS), Patricio Perez (Defensa y Justicia, Argentina), Patrick Zwaanswijk (NAC Breda, Netherlands), Jess Vanstrattan (Gold Coast United)
Departures: Andrew Redmayne (Brisbane Roar), Matthew Crowell (released), Shane Huke (released), Brady Smith (released), Panni Nikas (released), Dylan Macallister (Wellington Phoenix), Jonathan Brown (released), Andrew Clark (retired), Ahmad Elrich (released), Nicky Travis (released), Nigel Boogaard (Adelaide United), Dean Heffernan (Melbourne Heart), David D'Apuzzo (released)
Biggest signing:Daniel McBreen
Biggest loss: Dean Heffernan
Key men:Matt Simon, Alex Wilkinson, Michael McGlinchey
Team list
Goalkeepers
Matthew Ryan Jess Vanstrattan
Defenders
Pedj Bojic Chris Doig Sam Gallagher Rostyn Griffiths Joshua Rose Trent Sainsbury Marc Warren Alex Wilkinson Patrick Zwaanswijk
Midfielders
Mustafa Amini Oliver Bozanic John Hutchinson Matthew Lewis Michael McGlinchey Patricio Perez Brad Porter
Forwards
Adam Kwasnik Daniel McBreen Nik Mrdja Matt Simon
Coach
Graham Arnold
