Mariners coach Paul Okon defends club’s poor record
CENTRAL Coast Mariners coach Paul Okon answers the questions every Mariners fan is asking: can the Mariners win again?
Central Coast
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HOW CAN the Central Coast Mariners completely outplay and defeat ladder leaders Sydney FC one night, then somehow manage to concede a two goal lead against ten men on another?
It’s the question plaguing yellow and navy fans en masse, and now coach Paul Okon has addressed it in an exclusive video interview with the Express Advocate.
Speaking ahead of the club’s do-or-die clash with Wellington Phoenix on Friday night - one which may well decide who claims the wooden spoon - the former Socceroos captain addressed the state of team morale, the disappointment of recent results and the growing discontent among the fan base.
That discontent arguably reached a crescendo on Saturday night when the club snatched a draw from the jaws of victory in the city of churches.
Okon, though, believes that is all exterior.
“The playing group and the staff certainly don’t feel that,” he said.
“We strongly feel that we should have more points to show but the ladder doesn’t lie at the end.
“Right now I think it shows where we are for a reason because we haven’t been able to find that final pass or take that opportunity in the key moments.
“We haven’t been resilient.”
With his contract up at seasons’ end, finishing last is certainly not on the agenda for the 45-year-old, and that starts with a positive performance at home this week.