Craig Deans looks forward to learning from head coach Gary van Egmond.
Round four of the Hyundai A-League 2011/12 season saw Craig Deans officially step down from the interim coaching role of the Newcastle Jets and shift to assistant coach to Gary van Egmond.
While the Jets were unable to secure the three-points, Deans explains it will take some time for the players to adjust to the new playing style of van Egmond.
“Unfortunately it wasn-t the result we were hoping for against Gold Coast. We were really hoping to make a good impression on Gary as it was his first game with us this season,” Deans said.
“It is going to take three to four weeks for the boys to settle and adjust to Gary-s coaching, as it is a completely different style of play. It demands a lot out of them physically, but once we get it right we will be a serious contender this season.
“A positive we can take out of the game was Taylor Regan’s performance, he played a solid game at the back on the weekend. He is one of our younger players and I think he really stepped up in his first starting game.”
Having coached alongside van Egmond in previous years, Deans is eager to develop more with his style of coaching.
“Gary is extremely professional as a Head Coach and he has high expectations of his players,” Deans said.
“We have worked together before and I really like his style, I think that we will only benefit from his return to the club. He has to be one of the best coaches I have ever worked with and I hope to learn as much as I can from him.
“It will take Gary and myself a few weeks to work out what he wants from me, at the moment I am virtually his shadow.”
Perth Glory will be the next challenge for the Newcastle Jets and newly signed striker Francis Jeffers is set to take to field for his first appearance since returning to the Club.
“Jeffers is in good condition and has been working extra hard at training. He has been taking on additional training session to increase his fitness,” Deans added.
“He is an incredibly smart player and will be a great asset to the team. He has previously played a very high level of football and we expect his knowledge to translate once again into the A-League.”
As round five approaches the Newcastle Jets are preparing for another highly competitive match. Perth Glory sit above the Jets on the ladder, but the Jets are hungry to take that second ranking from them.
“At the first two home games of the season we had such great support from our Members and fans. Keeping that high support base is crucial as the team really feeds of their energy. The team greatly appreciates it and we hope that we get the same response this weekend against the Glory,” the assistant coach said.
“It is important that we win and deliver an entertaining game for our fans. They want to see their team win and I think we are in for a good chance at that.”
