Mariners ready to go 'The Full Monty'

Central Coast Mariners captain Nick Montgomery said the critics can write off the club all they like going into this season, but he knows better.

Nick Montgomery

Montgomery warns the competition to doubt the Mariners at their peril Source: Getty Images

Montgomery was a steely veteran of 351 games for Sheffield United in England before coming to Australia and if the Mariners play as tough as he is talking, the club's performances should be fine.

But its first challenge starts on Saturday night against against Perth Glory at Central Coast Stadium.

"Everyone has written us off already, but while we're one of the smallest clubs in the A-League, we've got the biggest heart," Montgomery said.

"I think we've proved that during the 10 years of the A-League's. Anyone who thinks we're going to be a pushover has been punished.

"Everyone writing you off gives you extra motivation, definitely. I think any time in life when people doubt you, to prove your doubters wrong is a very fulfilling thing and I'm stoked for this season, I'm really looking forward to it."

Montgomery has less than fond memories of last season, where the Mariners slipped to eighth after winning the championship in his first season at the club in 2012-2013, and then making the finals again the season after.

Phil Moss was sacked as coach three-quarters of the way through last season before John Hutchinson, who was still playing at the time, and technical director Tony Walmsley shared the coaching for the few remaining matches.

Walmsley is now head coach and the since-retired Hutchinson his assistant.

Montgomery said the new accent on playing attacking football after a season in which the Mariners packed its defence, and tried to contain the opposition, is much more satisfying.

"No, we're definitely not going to be doing that again," Montgomery said.

"Everything is completely new this year. Last season was disappointing. It's well worth forgetting. We didn't really have anything going forward and it was difficult to play under, but last season's gone now.

"We're going to play attacking football and to do that, we needed attacking players and we've brought in Roy O'Donovan, a proven goal-scorer, and we've got Fabio Ferreira, Josh Rose, Mitch Austin, players who've got the pace to get in behind defenders and who will be playing like that.

"We didn't have much of that last season and that made it difficult for us to even play counter-attacking football, because we didn't really have enough pace getting forward."

Montgomery said the Mariners wouldn't be reckless in going forward, but could be confident in its ability based on pre-season form.

"One thing we've got this season, which we've shown in pre-season, is the ability to create chances," he said.

"But we've got some good defensive players as well. Young lads are going to make mistakes, but you've got to accept that because that's the only way they're going to learn.

"We've brought in a lot of new players and the pre-season has given us time to put it all together and try out different formations and I think we're now in a good place. The boys are fit, we've got a game plan and we'll take that into this season.

"It doesn't matter who or where we play, we'll play the same sort of football, but we can't leave ourselves wide open so we're going to have to pick our times when to attack and when to sit back and make sure we're not easy to beat.

"I think that's the main thing, that we're not easy to beat, and I'm sure we're going to give every team in the A-League, including the top teams, some food for thought when they come up against us.

"If we make the top six, everyone on the outside will be surprised, but that's our main aim and from there who knows what can happen."

Montgomery said the doubters can please themselves, he doesn't care what they think.

"We've always had doubters, even when we were successful under Graham Arnold," Montgomery said.

"But the A-League's growing and there has been a lot of changes during the time I've been here and Tony Walmsley has come in with a fresh approach, fresh ideas, and John Hutchinson's now on the coaching staff and I think he's been a priceless addition.

"He knows exactly what the club and the community on the Central Coast wants to see and that's people wearing their heart on their sleeve, fighting for each other and playing football the fans can enjoy to watch."


Share
Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Tour de France, Tour de France Femmes, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España, Dakar Rally, World Athletics / ISU Championships (and more) via SBS On Demand – your free live streaming and catch-up service. Read more about Sport
Have a story or comment? Contact Us

Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Tour de France, Tour de France Femmes, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España, Dakar Rally, World Athletics / ISU Championships (and more) via SBS On Demand – your free live streaming and catch-up service.
Watch nowOn Demand
Follow SBS Sport
4 min read
Published 8 October 2015 3:29pm
Updated 8 October 2015 5:06pm
By Greg Prichard
Source: SBS

Share this with family and friends