Scott Neville believes the Jets will draw confidence from keeping their first clean sheet of the season against Perth on Sunday.
Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets defender Scott Neville believes the Jets will draw confidence from keeping their first clean sheet of the season against Perth Glory at Hunter Stadium on Sunday.
Neville was awarded the Event Cinemas Glendale Performance of the Week for his tireless efforts at right fullback on a warm afternoon in Newcastle.
The 24-year-old-s solid defensive performance included a crucial goal-saving block to deny Perth-s Jamie Maclaren a golden opportunity in the 70th minute of the contest.
Neville also looked threatening going forward, nearly finding the back of the net with a header from a set piece in the first half, before forcing a sharp reflex save out of Danny Vukovic with a stinging drive late in the match.
However, it was the Jets- defensive efforts that pleased Neville most.
“I think the positive from the game will definitely be the clean sheet, so hopefully we can build on that and take it into our next game,” Neville said.
“We-ve just got to be a bit more positive going forward and hopefully the goals will come from that.
Despite the raft of chances created by the Jets throughout the contest, Neville said he felt a draw against Perth was a fair result.
“I think the result was probably a fair reflection of the game. I don-t think either side really dominated the game at all,” Neville said.
“We had a few good chances from set pieces and I think if we got one early in the first half the game might have opened up, but it wasn-t to be.”
The Jets must now endure a tough road trip to Napier where they will face Wellington Phoenix.
After playing 90 minutes in trying conditions on the weekend, Neville said the focus would be on recovery over the coming days to ensure he is in peak condition for the trip across the Tasman.
“It was pretty tough on Sunday, the conditions were quite hot and it was pretty windy inside the stadium as well,” Neville explained.
“All the boys have done the right recovery with the ice baths and stretching and what not.
“We-ll be back into training over the next few days to get us ready for the trip to New Zealand.”
