7 points on Central Coast 1-1 Western Sydney Wanderers

This hotly anticipated clash between the current Champions and Premiers, though enlivened by a vivid atmosphere, ended in stalemate. A conventional and organised performance from Popovic's Wanderers failed to consistently threaten a Central Coast side fielding a fascinating forward duo. 

6 points on Adelaide 0-4 Central Coast

Here are 6 tactical points on the Mariners ruthless four-goal shellacking of a hapless Adelaide. 

Before the start of the season, the Reds were tipped by many, including PM, to mount a serious title tilt, despite the departures of a host of key players. Coolen supervised a complete rebuild of the playing squad, presumably at great expense. Among his prized recruits were Vidosic, McKain, Levchenko and Slory. And although none of the new arrivals have particularly distinguished themselves, perhaps the most disappointing performance has been produced by the manager himself, who has consistently committed severe tactical mistakes. 

Central Coast 3-1 Heart: Match Analysis

A genuinely exhilarating tactical encounter was decided, undeservedly perhaps, by a foul on a keeper resulting in a stunning overhead kick and a mis-judged handball. Melbourne and the Central Coast have shaped up this season as genuine title contenders; the Red and Whites and the Mariners will be tussling for the silver and bronze medals come the business end of the season. John van't Schip and Graham Arnold renewed their reputations as among the finest tacticians in Australia.

Sydney 2-3 Central Coast: Match Analysis

Bling FC against the Little Club That Could; that would be the expected narrative in any derby involving the Harbour City and their more modest cousins. Except in recent times, it's the Sky Blues who have been in the doldrums and the Mariners in the ascendant. Central Coast triumphed at the SFS for the first time in four years, but it was Lavicka's confusing tactics and overly aggressive substitutions that largely decided the contest. 

Brisbane Roar 1-0 Central Coast Mariners: Match Analysis

Brisbane produced an exciting display of attacking football, based around rapid passing, positional interchange and incisive movement. Although the Mariners weren't exactly dominated, Brisbane saw the majority of possession and scoring chances. Matt Ryan and temporary skipper Zwaanswijk turned in stubborn performances to deny the hosts a number of seemingly definite goals.

Central Coast Mariners 2011-12 Season Preview

The perennial bridesmaids to the capital clubs brides, the Mariners have been Grand Final losers to Newcastle, Sydney and now Brisbane. Long cast as the plucky little club that could, nothing will suit Graham Arnold and his men more than to once again resume the title of scrappy underdogs, despite coming closest to defeating a rampant Brisbane.

Last season, Arnold was queried as to why he preferred to set his team out in a 4-4-2 diamond. His answer, that he choose a diamond midfield because Central Coast lacked wingers but had plenty of strikers and central midfielders, was perceptive, insightful and straightfoward.

A-League Pre-Season Form Guide

FourFourTwo AU put together a useful guide to the club's results in offseason. These results should probably be taken with a grain of salt; obviously clubs were still making signings, players were still coming back from injury, and managers were giving some youngsters experience - so it's unlikely that clubs consistently sent out their strongest available line-up, or even played in their preferred style.

Nevertheless, there's still utility in seeing how many games clubs lost, how many goals were conceded, and who has scoring form going into the regular season. It should be noted how notoriously unrealiable pre-season results are as predicators of regular season success; in the 4 seasons in which the A-League held a Pre-Season Cup, only one of the Cup winners went on to become Premiers or Champions. Quick summary below.