In this week’s edition of Jets Insider, Josh Brillante answered questions submitted by the Club’s Members and supporters.
In this week-s edition of Jets Insider, defender Josh Brillante answered questions submitted by the Club-s Members and supporters.
Brillante discussed this Saturday-s clash with Western Sydney, winning the U-20 Footballer of the Year award and the players who he models his game on.
Owen George asks via email: As a player, how excited do you get about playing in a big game atmosphere like you-re expecting this weekend?
JB: The reason you play football is for big games like this with a big crowd and a great atmosphere.
I know all the boys are really looking forward to Saturday and seeing all the Jets supporters turn up in big numbers, so hopefully we can get a good result for our fans.
@hecivan70 asks via Twitter: Josh is there any player/s that you have modeled your game on?
JB: As a midfielder, I really like the way guys like Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard play.
They help control the midfield and they score goals as well, which is something I definitely want to add to my game this season, so hopefully I can get on the score sheet in the next few weeks.
Rees Irwin asks via email: What do you think the main reasons are for the team-s good form lately?
JB: I think everyone-s hard work is really starting to pay off. We-re all out on the field working for each other every game and I think that-s really important, because if you stick together as a team, that-s how you grind out results.
It-s just up to us to keep that attitude and mindset throughout the rest of the season. If we do that, I-m sure we can go a long way.
Kayla Brown asks via email: How did if feel to win the Australian U20 Footballer of the Year award? You deserved it!
JB: It was a big honour to receive an award like that and it has only made me want to work harder to keep improving my game throughout the season.
@jordancassar3 asks via Twitter: Hey Joshy, here’s my question – What was your first reaction when you got told you were selected for the Newcastle Jets?
JB: I was very excited to have signed for a Club like the Jets because I could see there was a lot of potential here.
With Gold Coast United folding, it was good to be able to secure my future and I-m very happy with the way everything has gone so far since I-ve been in Newcastle.
Paul Matsovic asks via email: We-ve seen some young Jets players like yourself and a few others really kick-on and make a mark in the A-League this season. What do you put that down to?
JB: I think it comes down to hard work and dedication and trying to prove that even though we are young players, we can still make an impact in the A-League.
I also think the experience we got playing with the Young Socceroos at the FIFA U-20 World Cup helped us a lot as well. Going away and playing against the best players in the world for our age group gave us a lot of confidence leading into the start of the season.
Niall O-Meara asks via email: Who-s the toughest midfielder in the A-League to play against and why?
JB: I-d have to say Alessandro Del Piero. Just the skill and composure he has and the things he can do with the ball at his feet makes him very dangerous and difficult to mark.
Chris Mann asks via email: Josh, how is the confidence in the squad at the moment? It looks like there is a real belief and unity amongst the boys on the field.
JB: We started the season a little bit slowly, but we-ve been doing really well recently.
We had a three-game winning streak and we-re coming off a good win on the road against Melbourne on the weekend, so on the back of that I think all the boys are confident and pumped up for this big game on the weekend.
Warren Urqhart asks via email: Who are the main guys you have to watch out for against the Wanderers on Saturday?
JB: The Wanderers have a lot of players who can hurt you, but obviously guys like Shinji Ono and Aaron Mooy pull the strings for them in midfield and Mark Bridge and Youssouff Hersi are pretty dangerous for them up front.
We just have to be on our toes and make sure we keep our defensive structure in place to limit their impact.
@thewestbury69 asks via Twitter: Tips for trying to get a beard as glorious as yours?
Josh Brillante (JB): Eat lots of protein.
Thank you for all your Jets Insider questions! Make sure you follow @NewcastleJetsFC on Twitter to find out who will be answering questions from Members and supporters next week!
