Mitch Cooper is determined to earn a regular place in the Jets’ match day squad after making his Club debut last weekend.
Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets attacking midfielder Mitch Cooper is determined to earn a regular place in the Jets- match day squad after making his Club debut against Western Sydney Wanderers last weekend.
Cooper came on as a 69th minute substitute against the Wanderers and impressed Jets head coach Gary van Egmond with his mobility and positioning.
“I thought he did extremely well with his impact coming on,” van Egmond said.
“Obviously it-s a different situation to starting the game but his impact was good.
“To be fair I thought when he came on he did extremely well in looking where he needed to be.”
After an injury-plagued start to the season, Cooper said he was pleased to get his first minutes for the Newcastle Jets under his belt.
The 18-year-old Young Socceroo said he hoped last Saturday-s substitute appearance would lead to more game time for the Jets over the coming weeks.
“It-s been a long time coming, but I-m very happy to get some game time and I can only work hard from here and hopefully there-s more to come,” he said.
“I was happy just to get on the ball and wanted to do the simple things and follow orders from Gary.
“I just tried to make as big an impact as I could and hopefully if I get the chance to do it again I-ll be able to do that.
“It was good to be back playing in the A-League, so hopefully I-ll keep building on that and eventually get a start.”
Cooper said he had greatly benefitted from playing with the Jets youth team during the NBN State League.
“It was good in the NBN because it-s a physical league and that-s one of the bigger things I-ve improved this year,” he said.
“Playing against adults at a fast pace you have to be strong, especially in midfield and I-ve grown in that area.”
Newcastle Jets v Melbourne Heart
Friday, February 15
Hunter Stadium
Kick-off 7.30pm (Gates open 6.30pm)
Tickets from PROticket.
