Jets Wrap Up – Round 17

Jimmy Griffiths looks at the last weeks events at Newcastle.

It was a really important week gone by for the club and it’s my belief that even though the Jets weren’t able to grab the (deserved) points against the Roar, they did grab some respect back from the football community and in particular, the Jets fans. For anyone who watched the game, the first half was fairly underwhelming. The first 30 minutes… Well, I’d love to have that 30 minutes again. Aside from a Montano header that hit the bar, it was forgettable for both sides. The Roar pressed and the Jets hung on, that is until 10 minutes before the end to the half where lazy defending essentially gifted a goal to the Roar. To a viewer, it seemed like a total loss of composure and concentration.

But when the second half begun, it seemed like a new Jets team, they carried on with the momentum they had after the Roar scored.  And whilst Mitch Cooper was substituted off early in the 2^nd half, his replacement Radovan Pavicevic had an immediate impact. Looked dangerous on the ball and was causing some concern for the Roar defence. And justly so, like an obedient dog, Pavicevic was able to keep his composure and score in the 72^nd minute. From that point on, if someone who was viewing this game without any knowledge of the A-League they would have thought, ‘wow, Brisbane sitting back, content for one point’ when in reality one point was not acceptable for the Roar when coming up against a team that lost 7-0 the week before.

For a Jets fan, it was awesome viewing (especially when you’re watching it with a Roar fan at the Crown Casino sports bar). Pavicevic and Hoole looking threatening up front with Mullen down back even making some daring runs with the midfield solid and not turning it over as much as they were in the first half. It seemed like the Jets were playing with full enjoyment and spirit, something I haven’t seen in a while. Then it came crashing down, we all know what happens next, in typical Jets style, a late defensive brain fade led to a Thomas Broich free kick finding its way into the back of our net (after going through several pairs of legs). Whilst the result itself was incredibly disappointing – I saw effort and input from all the players that played for the Jets on Friday night. I saw some good tactics from Stubbins (with his use of Pavicevic and Hoole but also allowing Mullen to attack).  Admittedly, taking Neville off for Welsh before what was to be the last play before full time is questionable, however it is believed Neville had cramp, and what’s painfully ironic is that Welsh was the one who scored the own goal from Broich’s free kick.

Now to the off-field issues… I’ll be short here.

• Nathan Tinkler has until Monday to prove to the FFA that he has his club in a sustainably and stable financial state.
• Tinkler’s case against sacked Carney will be heard by an FFA arbitrator (would love to be a fly on the wall there)
• There are still issues surrounding the superannuation of players which will need to be addressed and ironed out by Monday.

Therefore, if the FFA is satisfied with Tinkler on Monday – then that is positive news for the club and the A-league. If not, the club is in further strife with potential legal action to follow. However, back to on field, we move forward from this performance against the Roar and hope to take it with us to the next game. Another home game, against the other embarrassment of the A-League this season, WSW (sorry WSW fans, couldn’t help but point out we aren’t actually last!)

For a cellar dweller game, it sure will be one to tune into.

THE MONTH AHEAD

14^th February – WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS (Home)

22^nd February – WELLINGTON PHOENIX (Away)

28^th February – CENTRAL COAST MARINERS (Home)

6^th March – SYDNEY FC (Home)

THE TABLE

THIS WEEKS QUESTION

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