Connor Chapman hopes to continue to be a threat at set-pieces after going close to opening his goal-scoring account last weekend.
Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets defender Connor Chapman says he hopes to continue to be an aerial threat at set-pieces after going close to opening his goal-scoring account for the Jets against Adelaide United last weekend.
Chapman found the back of the net with a crunching header in the 10th minute of the clash with the Reds, only to have his maiden A-League goal controversially disallowed for a foul in the lead-up.
It was the second match in a row that Chapman had managed to get into a dangerous position at a set-piece, having headed just wide of the target against Perth Glory a week earlier.
“I should have scored one a couple of weeks ago against Perth and I worked on my set pieces all last week,” Chapman said.
“Personally, I thought it was a goal (against Adelaide), but it wasn-t given and it-s a bit frustrating for myself, but that-s part of the game and hopefully I can score one against Western Sydney.
“Every player in the team should be able to score and as a centre-back it adds so much to your game if you can score (from set-pieces) as well as keeping clean sheets.
“That-s something I-m definitely going to work on to improve in my game.”
With their A-League finals hopes now resting on the outcome of other matches, Chapman said the Jets would be interested spectators for this weekend-s round of games.
“Obviously you don-t want to be thinking about football too much because it will take over your life, but I-ll be glued to the TV on the weekend,” Chapman said.
“The results went our way last weekend and we-ve just got to hope that happens again so we can try and get into the top six.”
While disappointed not to pick up all three points against the Reds last week, Chapman said the Jets would still gain confidence from elements of their performance heading into their Round 27 clash with Western Sydney Wanderers.
“If you look at it, we got a point down in Adelaide and they-re a very good side,” Chapman said.
“We can bring that back and that gives us a lot of confidence going into the Western Sydney game.
“It-s in front of our home crowd and we-ll basically have everything to play for, so hopefully we can go out there and beat them.”
Newcastle Jets v Western Sydney Wanderers
Friday, March 29
Hunter Stadium
Kick-off 5.30pm
Tickets from PROticket
