Michael McGlinchey of the Central Coast Mariners in action against Adelaide United in Gosford. Picture: Tony Feder Source: Getty Images
NO Tommy Rogic, no worries for Central Coast coach Graham Arnold and his all-conquering team.
Kiwi international Michael McGlinchey showed against Adelaide United that he can be the playmaker who leads the Mariners to a championship after Rogic's move to Scottish giants Celtic.
McGlinchey impressed in the key attacking role and Arnold indicated he could be the long-term option in the No.10 position.
With Rogic the attacking heartbeat of the Mariners, the the young Socceroo's departure gave rivals hopes that there might be a chink in their armour. However, McGlinchey eased those concerns.
"Every time he's played at 10, we've done well," Arnold said. "He gives you that drive and he's great at finding space in there."
Adelaide coach John Kosmina has no doubt Central Coast still deserve the tag as title favourites after their impressive 3-1 win over the Reds on Friday night in Gosford.
Despite taking an early lead, second-placed Adelaide were outplayed by the Mariners, who stormed home with two goals from substitute Mitchell Duke.
"They are (the team to beat)," Kosmina said. "After (that performance) you have to say that. They're a good side. They're good on the ball and they're great physical specimens as well. They're hard, really, really hard.
"Having said that, we turned the ball over way too cheaply. If you keep doing that you are going to build pressure on yourself and eventually you're going to feel the pinch."
After being held to draws by Newcastle and the Melbourne Victory over their past two games, Friday's win meant the Mariners took a significant step towards back-to-back minor premierships.
But with nine matches still to play, Arnold isn't keen to talk about the title race. He doesn't want his players to take the foot off the pedal.
"I don't care about the (competition lead) because next week we have Brisbane and we've got to turn up and play like we did tonight," Arnold said.
"I think the boys really stepped up and set their own standards again and they have to maintain them. For me, it's always about consistency and maintaining your standards. That's why I drive them insane at training, to keep their standards high.
"I hate sloppiness and the standard of the team can be very high when we play with discipline and to our structure. When we don't do that, we're just a normal football team."
With the club's fans officially bidding farewell to Rogic on Friday night, there were plenty of signs to suggest his departure won't hinder the Mariners' title hopes - and not just from McGlinchey.
Arnold was full of praise for Duke, who started in the season opener but has struggled with an ankle injury.
"Over the last few week he's been getting back to his best," Arnold said. "I just said to him, 'it's your night, tonight'. No one else has been able to put it in ... they were two great finishes."
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