Christmas time for Mariners proving to be a mixed...hem... stocking.

It's been a week of mixed emotions for the Central Coast Mariners. A draw, two contracts extended and one permanent farewell.

Over the weekend they secured yet another draw, this time against the Wellington Phoenix who are in fifth place.

With the 1-1 draw away from home – their fourth out of five away games – the eighth placed Mariners will be desperate for a win over the course of the next few weeks.

Despite Phil Moss reiterating that the players’ self-belief is firmly intact, it is hard not to speculate that unless the results they have been producing don’t improve, they will finish their season on the bottom rungs of the ladder.

With the recently returned Matt Simon scoring a goal against Wellington last Saturday though, Moss will be feeling better about the prospects of his team.

Certainly, the goals have struggled to roll into the back of the net for the Mariners.

Senagalise striker, Malick Mane, officially left the country tonight. He asked to be released from his contract some weeks ago, perhaps never really showcasing what he was capable of or allowing himself the time needed to settle into his new team and environment.

Despite the loss, with the return of Simon, perhaps he is the game changer Moss has been waiting for?

In other news, Matt Sim and Glen Trifiro have both extended their contracts with the club with the starting players ensuring another one-year and two-year stint, respectively.

The consistency both these players bring to the pitch is crucial for a developing team like the Mariners. We always thought this season might be a difficult one for the yellow and navy having a collection of fairly young and inexperienced players.

But development is a huge part of Phil Moss’s plan for the club and his young squad does have great potential.

Assuming he holds the top position for long enough to see the fruits of his labour the Mariners will certainly be ones to watch in the 2015-16 season and thereafter.

Their 2014-15 campaign has been somewhat lackluster but nobody can fault the team for lack of effort. Luck certainly hasn’t been on their side with certain opportunities and decisions not swinging their way at times.

In the weeks ahead they first face top-placed Perth Glory then Brisbane Roar and the Western Sydney Wanderers on New Years Day.

It’s going to be a tough slog that’s for sure. But after all coming back from a low is what the Mariners are known for.

Maybe Santa can give them a few more points this Christmas.