Our series of mid-season review continues with a look at the Newcastle Jets.
Story so far
It has been a story of one step forward, two steps back for the Jets so far this A-League season. They started the season in fine form on the back of a solid defensive structure and intelligent counter-attacking under their new manager, Scott Miller. It seemed a world away from the previous season, when, under Phil Stubbins, the Novocastrians floundered from one disaster to the next to eventually prop up the A-League table after 27 rounds.
It is hard to believe now but coming into round five, had the Jets managed to topple the Western Sydney Wanderers, they would have stood alone at the summit of the competition. A late Mitch Nichols strike in that encounter has led to a dismal run of form since.
As it stands, the Jets have only scored two goals since that day in early November and are currently on a goalless run that has lasted 559 minutes. Nobody is sure where their next goal is going to come from as they have only managed two shots on target in their last three outings. They have slumped from second to eighth on the A-League ladder and unless they can turn their form around quickly, the slump looks set to continue.
The manager
It all looked to be coming easy to Miller early on in the campaign as his side shocked many of the league’s heavyweights with their effective, counter-attacking football. After what had occurred under Stubbins, the manager made no qualms about the fact he had to rebuild the structure of the side.
And to his credit, on the defensive side of the ball, he has done that. The team is now much more difficult to break down. The Jets have conceded 18 goals so far this term, which is fewer than several other defences in the competition, including the cavalier Melbourne City who have conceded 24 times.
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The problem being the attacking side of the team has really suffered. The Jets are not yet in double figures (nine) this season in the goals scored column and at times have looked like they lack the ideas or the quality to change that statistic.
Miller is starting to experience some pressure from the fans to improve the results and the style of football his men are playing. January looks set to be a crucial month as he looks to add more speed and depth to his squad in an effort to salvage a season heading in the wrong direction.
Standout player
Most pundits have been singing the praises of the Jets stalwart winger David Carney as the Jets’ best so far this season, but in reality, it simply has to go to gloveman Mark Birighitti. In a season that has had it all for the man affectionately known as ‘Birraz’, including a nasty clash with Shane Smeltz that led to him having extensive dental surgery, he has been superb.
He has kept his team in countless matches through his sheer athleticism and acrobatics in goal for the Jets. He has made 51 saves for the season and saved 75% of all shots on target he has faced. That is the highest percentage of any keeper in the league who has played 10 or more matches this season.
Rumours are that Ange Postecoglou and the Socceroos hierarchy are looking at him again for national team selection which would be richly deserved.
Second-half prediction
It will all come down to how well Miller does in the January sales. If he can add some quality to the Jets roster they could still possibly push for a place in the top six. If he cannot find the required players in the transfer window, it would not surprise if the Jets suffered the nadir of back-to-back wooden spoons. Unfortunately for the Jets’ long-suffering supporters, the latter seems more likely to eventuate.
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