With “no big names and no budget”, Central Coast coach John Hutchinson is well aware they’ve already been written off.
So the Mariners are approaching this year’s A-League Men season like they have nothing to lose.
A gutsy Central Coast fell short of an opening-round F3 derby upset, drawing 2-2 with defending premiers Newcastle after scoring a second-half own goal.
First-year coach and much-loved club legend Hutchinson could only praise his young squad’s grit after urging his side to be brave.
A former captain who holds the club's all-time appearance record, Hutchinson and his coaching staff had handwritten notes for each of his players before Saturday night’s derby.
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Each note ended the same way: 'Fortune favours the brave'.
“Being brave was something that I first spoke about to this group, you know? We have nothing to lose,” Hutchinson said.
“People tipped us to come last - youngest squad, no big names, no budget.
“That is everything that we need for people to say about us because what we can try to achieve is what we saw tonight.
“And we've got areas to grow, 100 per cent, but we try to always talk to players about making mistakes in training, being brave on the ball.”
Lured back home to the Mariners when the owners of English Championship's Queens Park Rangers took over the embattled ALM club in June, Hutchinson is just one former club champion in the dugout.
He is joined by assistant Josh Rose and goalkeeping coach Danny Vukovic, with former striker Matt Simon the club’s sporting director.
“It's at times surreal,” Hutchinson said.
“Culture, character is built in the change room. We drive standards as football coaches.
“Danny Vukovic, Josh Rose, Matt Simon, they all know what it means to win. Absolute winners.
“My job is to manage the group, make sure I get them to believe in the project.
“And then when I walk in the change room and I see these young, bubbly footballers who just want to improve and be better every day, how can you not love what you do?
“It’'s baby steps for us. Every day is a baby step.”
The Mariners will look to snare their first win under Hutchinson when they travel across the Tasman to take on Wellington Phoenix next week.
