Newcastle need more pace in transition
If the Jets continue to play in a defensive fashion on their travels, then they simply need to find more speed on the counter attack if they are to turn their efforts into points. In this match, Newcastle started with Milos Trifunovic upfront, and David Carney, Enver Alivodic and Ryan Kitto in close support.
They are all clever, cunning, neat and tidy players, but they lack the real high end speed you need to catch out top class defences on the counter attack. It is an interesting conundrum for manager Scott Miller. There is no doubting that these men are key players for the Jets, but on the road a rethink may be needed.
Miller could opt for the young and pacey types like Radovan Pavicevic and Brandon Lundy – otherwise the the month of January could be a crucial time for the Jets.
If they want to continue their good start to the season and continue to push for a place in the top six, pace will need to be added to the side.
Defensive turnovers prove costly yet again
The Jets had done so well for large parts of the match to stay alive in the contest, only to shoot themselves in the foot on 58 minutes.
Newcastle was sloppy playing out from the back and the ball was picked up by Sydney and quickly played through for captain Alex Brosque. For once, a Sydney player showed composure and a killer instinct as he buried his shot past Birighitti.
It was no more than Sydney deserved but it was poor from the Jets, especially after they had done so well to hang on for as long as they did. Newcastle will not be able to afford to gift goals to their opponents on the road if they want to challenge for a position in the top six.
Their defensive organisation and discipline will keep them in games for long periods but sloppiness at the back could harm their long term ambitions.
Outside 90 Player of the Season points
3. Alex Brosque (Sydney)
2. Milos Dimitrijevic (Sydney)
1. Alex Gersbach (Sydney)
