For fans of the Central Coast Mariners, the last five seasons have been characterised by almost-constant disappointment.

Three wooden spoons – two of those in seasons where the side won just three of their 27 games – and never finishing higher than eighth.

This season promised more reason for optimism. A run to the FFA Cup semi-finals in pre-season was their strongest result in the competition since 2014.

There was surprise midfield star Milan Djuric and his pile-driver right boot. Young gun Samuel Silvera with fancy footwork to match his bold haircuts. Keeper Mark Birighitti delivering consistently exceptional performances between the sticks.

And guiding the lot, impressive former Matildas coach Alen Stajcic. Stajcic had delivered strong results for the Australian nationals women’s side before his ugly ousting.

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Brought in to salvage the Mariners when Mike Mulvey was sacked after an 8-2 defeat, Stajcic delivered two wins from the final six matches of last season. It was enough to earn him a three-year contract; no other Mariners manager had lasted three years in the job since Graham Arnold left the Central Coast in 2013-14.

Despite a tightly limited budget, there have been purple patches this season. Performances were good – even if the goals didn’t always come. At times, the side has shown guts, determination, skill.

A remarkable 3-2 win in the 100th minute against Melbourne Victory embodied the sense of progress Stajcic has delivered – and had fans dreaming of a drought-busting finals appearance.

But things have turned sour in recent weeks. Since that victory, the Mariners have slipped to seven straight losses, dropping them like a stone to the bottom of the ladder.

In that time, the side has scored six goals and conceded a whopping 22, an average of over three per game. In six of the seven matches the opponent scored two or more goals. In five of the matches the opponent won by a margin of two or more goals.

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Despite already beating last season’s tally of three wins (this side has four and a draw), the Mariners are five points behind their rivals the Newcastle Jets.

Now thirteen points out of finals contention, they’d have to double their current points tally just to match sixth-place Brisbane Roar’s current points total!

The 6-2 defeat to Western United on Sunday afternoon was a devastating new low, and not just on the scoreline. Fox Sports commentator Andy Harper described it as a “horrible performance”.

Alen Stajcic said: “We were very porous at the back.

“We’ve been decent for the last two weeks but today I thought we were below par and got punished.”

Fox Football analyst and former Socceroo Mark Bosnich says something must be done – and soon.

BOZZA: ‘NOTHING TO LOSE’

Bosnich said: “There has to be some questions asked. That’s seven losses on the trot.”

And he questioned Stajcic’s “very strange” inconsistent team selections in search of relief.

“Seven games to go. I know things haven’t been going well but if you don’t know your best team by now I think that’s a problem.

“At this moment in time there are players that are on the bench, like (Milan) Djuric, like (Sam) Silvera, like Jair, who deserve the opportunity to start. And once you get that winning team – or a team that stops this rot – you stick with them.

“There are players on the bench that can make this thing better.

“Alen Stajcic has to make the decision right now [on] who is his best eleven and give them the chance.

“There’s nothing to lose.”

Besides team selections, Bosnich questioned whether Stajcic – who has shown increasing signs of frustration and despair in recent weeks – believes he can turn things around.

“You’ve got to try and find something positive if you possibly can. If you believe that you cannot, I don’t see any other option than to basically step aside.”

The former Manchester United gloveman sees plenty of reason for positivity – and

“They’ve still won more games this season than the whole of last season. There have been times this season where they’ve won a certain amount of games where you’ve thought they’ve got half a chance at the six.

“But seven losses is seven losses, simple as that.”

SHOULD STAJ STAY?

Since the 2014/15 season, the Mariners have had five managers. Tony Walmsley (35 league games), Paul Okon (50), Wayne O’Sullivan (4), Mike Mulvey (21), and Alen Stajcic (25).

Of those, Stajcic boasts the best win percentage, with six wins earning him a 24 per cent win record. Okon (2016-17 to late 2017-18) sits second with 20 per cent (10 wins from 50).

Okon’s side conceded an average of 1.78 goals per game, while Stajcic’s side have conceded 2.28 gpg. Both sides score goals at a very similar rate of just over 1 per game.

Stajcic’s Mariners have a bizarrely limited number of draws (just one from 25 matches!) – while Okon’s side earned a point in 26 per cent of matches – meaning Okon’s sides overall picked up marginally more points overall.

It is difficult to compare managers from different time periods, but one potential takeaway is this: overall, Stajcic’s stint has been a success.

Certainly he has improved on the league records of Mulvey and O’Sullivan – not to mention the welcome bonus that was the inspiring FFA Cup semi-final run.

If not for this current woeful run of seven-straight losses, Mariners fans could feel confident in the rebuild occurring under the ex-Matildas mentor.

Much will depend on the next seven games, not the previous seven.

Last week, Stajcic said “we’re still on the bottom so it’s not good enough.

“None of us here are happy with where we’re at, with the results and where we’re at on the table.”

Rebuilding the Mariners is a long-term project. Fans know it, as does the club. Stajcic does too.

But without a short-term recovery, that long-term project might not take place under Stajcic.