Craig Goodwin says he is not getting carried away despite the strong start to his career as Newcastle Jets player.
Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets defender Craig Goodwin says he is not getting carried away with his own form despite scoring a spectacular hat-trick in the Jets- 6-0 win over the NBN State League Select on Wednesday night.
While Goodwin was pleased to get on the score sheet for the second consecutive game, he said the most satisfying aspect of the Jets- victory was the way they worked together as a unit.
“I was happy to get a hat-trick inside the first 15 minutes, but more so because the team performance was very good,” he said.
“I haven-t scored many hat-tricks before at senior level. That-s probably my first, so hopefully there-s a few more to come against A-League opposition.”
Despite the eye-catching performance, Goodwin acknowledged that he would have to keep his form up throughout the pre-season in order to be the Jets- starting left-back come the start of the A-League season.
“Now the hat-trick is done, it-s in the past and I-m looking forward to the next game,” he said.
“Hopefully I can get a start there, perform well and hopefully keep going the way I am.
“I don-t really think about the expectation on me. I just focus on my own game and listen to the coaches and the experienced players and try and get better each week.
“Hopefully that will help me progress into a better player.”
Goodwin said it has been pleasing to see the effectiveness of the Jets playing style so far during the pre-season.
“It-s a very attacking style with the fullbacks like me and Scott Neville pushing up high and the wingers coming inside with the rotation,” he said.
“It has worked well for us in the pre-season games so far and I think it will be a good test when we come up against other A-League Clubs to see where we-re really at.
“It-s been great in training sessions. You can see there-s a great feel about the Club at the moment with the team, so hopefully by the first game we can be flying.”
Full of confidence after scoring four goals in two games, Goodwin said he would continue to back himself to shoot from long range in upcoming matches.
“It-s always something that has been encouraged in our training sessions,” he said.
“If you-ve got the chance to shoot, then you should take a shot as long as you back yourself to do it.
“I-ve always been comfortable from shooting outside the box and I-ll back my ability to score from that distance.
“I-m sure whenever I get the chance in future games I will have a shot.”
At 20 years of age, Goodwin is one of a number of younger players in the Jets squad. However the former Melbourne Heart player said that age would not be a factor for Newcastle this season.
“I-ve always been a big believer with young players that if you-re good enough, you-re old enough,” he said.
“I think with the players we have, we might be young, but we-re definitely quality players.
“I think that this season we can show Newcastle and the A-League that just because you have a younger team, it doesn-t necessarily mean you won-t do well.”
