Central Coast Mariners coach Phil Moss has adopted a philosophical attitude after his side held on for a 0-0 draw against Melbourne Victory at Bluetongue Stadium on Friday night.
Central Coast Mariners coach Phil Moss has adopted a philosophical attitude after his side held on for a 0-0 draw against Melbourne Victory at Bluetongue Stadium on Friday night.
The Mariners were far from their best throughout the Round 8 encounter, as Melbourne mounted countless attacks in Gosford.
But Moss was pleased with the team’s overall attitude despite being toothless in the front third.
“We can be a bit more positive with the ball, a bit braver playing forward but the defensive structure I thought for the most part was quite good,” the former Manly United mentor said.
“If you look at Melbourne Victory there real danger is transition to attack and that’s when the game I opened up.
“When we played the way we like to play and bought our fullbacks into the game I thought we caused them some problem.”
A fourth draw for the Mariners has seen them register just one win at home this season (against Adelaide in Round 3) and has them in rare territory of sixth on the table.
Moss noted that depth and versatility were key as he attempts to make his own mark on the defending champions following the recent departure of Graham Arnold.
“I always want two players for every position and I think and the moment him (McBreen) and Simmo (Matt Simon) fighting it out for the number nine shirt is very healthy for the team,” he said.
“I think Dukey (Mitchell Duke) is making a decent fist of tit our on the right.
“We are working with him to make sure we are using his naturally abilities as a number nine but playing him in a slightly different role and he is enjoying it there.
“He can score goals from that position like he did last week against Perth.
“It’s a work in progress no doubt.”
The former assistant coach praised his second-half replacements and was pleased with the tactical changes that were made.
“I thought the shift with McGlinchey coming to ten, Mile (Sterjovski) going on the left and (Nick) Montgomery coming off the bench (in the 73rd minute) for (Anthony) Caceres certainly shifted the momentum in our favour a little bit,” said Moss.
Meanwhile, the Mariners have confirmed they are seeking financial assistance from Football Federation Australia to compete in next year’s Asian Champions League.
