Newcastle Jets host a rejuvenated Adelaide United on Friday night in an extremely hard match to predict.
The visitors have won two consecutive matches, while the Jets have picked up just three points from their past six games.
Here are the major talking points ahead of an intriguing clash:
Have Adelaide truly reformed?
After going nine rounds without a win Adelaide seem to have found the right formula under Guillermo Amor, picking up back-to-back home wins to move off the bottom of the table. While some individual performances certainly need work, key men like Jimmy Jeggo and Marcelo Carrusca look to have finally found their place under the former Barcelona player. However, heading away from South Australia, to a Newcastle outfit in search of a much needed win it will be a test for United, to see wether they’ve truly reformed, or simply stumbled across wins.
Can Bruce Djite get off the mark?
After netting goals against Sydney FC in the FFA Cup an early season injury looks to have unsettled Adelaide’s big front man. Since returning to the fray back in round four, Djite has gone six games with hitting the back of the net and struggled to find his feet in Amor’s set up. Heading to Newcastle this weekend it will be crucial the 28-year-old discovers his scoring form, not only to ensure his side maintain their winning ways but also for his own confidence, and Amor’s confidence in him.
Have Newcastle learned from round seven?
In round five the Jets put in arguably their worst performance of the season at Coopers Stadium, holding on for dear life against United to deny the home side their first win of the season. Since then they have only managed to pick up one point from three games – with last week’s 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Melbourne city summarising their downfall since an exciting start under Scott Miller. Back at Hunter’s Stadium this Friday the Jets will be hoping they’ve learnt from their mistakes against United to ensure not only a drastically improved performance from that seven meeting, but also in order to pick up their first win since round five.
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