Ryan Griffiths believes the Jets’ passion and commitment were key components of their 1-0 win over Brisbane on Saturday.
Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets striker Ryan Griffiths believes the Jets- passion and commitment were key components of their 1-0 win over Brisbane Roar at Hunter Stadium on Saturday.
As one of only two starting players over the age of 25 to take the field against Brisbane, Griffiths said he tried to lead from the front and inspire the young Jets line-up with his no-holds barred approach to Saturday-s game.
“I just wanted to get the troops behind me fired up as well to make sure they stayed on top of the game,” Griffiths said.
“We-ve conceded goals quite easily this year, so it was just something I really tried to focus on the last few weeks, just to bring a bit more aggression to the game.
“I think Taylor (Regan) did a great job and Connor (Chapman) also. With that type of intimidation that we bring, even though we-re a young team, we-re definitely enthusiastic.
“It-s something that we need to work on, we need to make sure we get in the other team-s faces because if they smell that fear, they-re going to punish us.”
Playing his 50th game for the club, Griffiths was a constant threat to the Brisbane defence during the contest and scored what proved to be the match-winning goal in the 48th minute.
“It was frustrating in the first half not to be able to get that goal to give us that buffer, but in saying that we just kept working, we kept on creating chances and we finally got one in the back of the net,” Griffiths said.
“I think the effort we-ve been putting in during the last few weeks hasn-t really been justified by our results, so it-s pleasing to get a home victory.
“It was a bonus to score in my 50th appearance for the Jets, so that was pleasing.”
In the absence of marquee striker Emile Heskey, Griffiths did a stand up job of the leading the Jets frontline against the Roar.
“I love playing there. I played there when I was overseas so it was no problem for me,” Griffiths said.
“For the team it was a little bit of a different style of play having myself up front and making runs in behind as opposed to Emile holding the ball up and using his strength and I think the team adapted well.
“I think we have to make sure that not every ball has to go to Emile and keep the style of play that we play.
“It-s a lot more attractive when we go wide and he-s in there to finish it off.”
The Jets now turn their attention to Saturday-s F3 Derby clash with the Central Coast Mariners at Bluetongue Stadium.
“It-s one that-s really important for us, going down there, because we haven-t really had good results down there in the past,” Griffiths said.
“It-s one that as a unit we-re definitely looking forward to. Central Coast, the way they are at the moment, they still get results and they-re very hard to defeat.
“They like to counteract everything we do and prey on our mistakes, so maybe we have to change our game plan and do the opposite and prey on their mistakes.
“I-m sure it-s going to be a difficult battle and they-ll definitely want to keep that top position so it-s going to be hard for us to break them down, but in saying that, we-ve definitely go the team to do it.
“We-ve got to stay on top of things and getting results is key to staying in the top six.
“You see how close it is still. That one win took us into fifth and another win could take us even further.”
