In this week’s edition of Jets Insider, Michael Bridges answered questions submitted by the Club’s Members and supporters.
In this week’s edition of Jets Insider, Michael Bridges answered questions submitted by the Club’s Members and supporters.
Bridges discusses his new role as assistant coach, the Jets’ current form and his tip to win the English Premier League this season.
Ryan Johnson asks via email: How are you finding the new role and juggling the coaching side of things with playing?
MB: It-s a bit of a learning process at the moment, but being that link between the players and the coaching staff is something that I-m really enjoying.
I-ve been working with the strikers on a more one-on-one basis and obviously discussing formations and the way we want to structure ourselves with Clayton (Zane) and Craig (Deans).
I-m slowly adapting to it and it can be tough on game days to balance both roles, but that-s why it-s great have Clayton and Craig there as well.
@tommyjet626 asks via Twitter: Do you think prospective managers should spend at least 5 years at a lesser level or assistant before taking on the top gig?
MB: If you look at someone like Tony Popovic, he didn-t spend a great deal of time as an assistant before taking on the job at the Wanderers.
He knows the games inside and out, so he-s been able to come straight into that role, stamp his authority and do a fantastic job.
At the end of the day it comes down to finding your niche and being able to manage the team and the type players that you have.
For some people that means working as an assistant coach, for others it-s coaching youth players, and then there-s obviously some who are best suited to being a head coach.
You can do as many coaching courses and licenses as you like, but you have to be able to find your niche as a coach and stick to what you-re good at.
Ray Bryant asks via email: How do you keep the squad positive during a tough run like this?
MB: I think the key is just trying to make training as enjoyable as possible. It-s important not to let things become to routine, mundane and boring during the week otherwise the mood amongst the boys will reflect that.
We-re still in with a massive chance of making the top six. We-re only a few points outside the playoffs at the moment and with hard work and a positive attitude we-ll give ourselves every chance of being their at the end of the season.
Nathan Smith asks via email: Is it too big an ask for us to beat Brisbane three times in one season?
MB: Not at all. We know what we-re capable of against them and we always give them a tough game whether it-s home or away.
We-re Brisbane-s bogey team and I-m sure that will be in the back of their mind, so we-ll go there with confidence and a good attitude knowing that we-ve done it before and we-re more than capable of doing it again.
@boomshanka1976 asks via Twitter: Would you take on the manager’s job next season if it was offered to you?
MB: At present I-m Clayton Zane-s assistant manager along with Craig Deans and we-re going to do everything in our power help him finish this season strongly, so he can make the job his own going forward.
Clayton-s manner and the way he interacts with his players is first class and I think he-s done a really good job since he-s come into the role, so hopefully the results will start to reflect that soon.
@soccer_joel asks via Twitter: How do you rate your performances this season?
MB: Obviously I would have liked to have played more minutes, but that hasn-t been the case so far due to different circumstances.
In saying that, every time I get on the park I-m always looking to perform and do my best for the team. I try to bring a bit of creativity and excitement with the way I play and hopefully the fans appreciate that.
Jasmine Fitzgerald asks via email: Who do you think is going to win the EPL this season and why?
MB: I-d love to say Tottenham because that-s my team, but I think they-re probably out of the race now.
Instead I-m going to have to say Liverpool because I think they-re starting to time their run nicely at the business end of the season.
They-ve got a lot of quality individuals and a great manager in Brendan Rogers who has done a fantastic job of implementing by his vision and philosophy from his days at Swansea.
It-s so close at the top there and I think this is going to be the most exciting run-in to the end of the season that we-ve seen with so many contenders in the mix.
Aaron Green asks via email: What-s the key for us to make the top six?
MB: Don-t lose games, as simple as that. We just need a consistent run of good results from now until the end of the season and once you-re in that Finals Series it-s anybody-s game.
@pbrown23 asks via Twitter: What was your venue of choice down Call Lane in the glory days at Leeds?
MB: Purple Door.
Thanks for all your Jets Insider questions! Make sure you follow @NewcastleJetsFC on Twitter to find out who will be in the hot seat next week.
