In this week’s edition of Jets Insider, Ruben Zadkovich answered questions submitted by the Club’s Members and supporters.
In this week-s edition of Jets Insider, Newcastle Jets captain Ruben Zadkovich answered questions submitted by the Club-s Members and supporters.
Zadkovich discussed Friday night-s season opener against Sydney FC, the future of the Jets playing squad and who the players to watch in the A-League this season are.
@unrealWaldo Ruben, can you see the Jets players sticking together for the coming seasons, building to short term and long term success?
RZ: Obviously having Mark Birighitti and Zenon Caravella re-sign is a big positive and there are a lot of boys in the squad who have more than this season on their contract.
We also have a young squad, so the longer we can stay together and build, the better we-re going to get.
Josh Walsh asks via email: Hi Ruben, how are the nerves ahead of the first game Friday night?
RZ: When I was younger I used to get a little bit nervous, but now I just get excited and I wish the game would hurry up and come around.
I can-t stop thinking about the game and I just can-t wait for it.
Tony Uljah asks via email: What will you be saying to the boys if you give a captain-s speech before kick-off on Friday?
RZ: I can-t give much away, but let-s just say there-s plenty of fire and mongrel in it and we won-t be going down without a fight.
Mark Thompson asks via email: You were a promising young player who has had a return to form the last few years after some injuries, who do you think is the best young prospect in the A-league right now? We’ve had Rojas and Ryan both go on to big clubs, who do you think could be next?
RZ: The one I like at the moment is Luke Brattan from Brisbane Roar, so it will be interesting to see how he goes this season.
@andymitch88 asks via Twitter: Ruben is Emile Heskey really a beast and taught all the Aussies how to score?
RZ: Emile is a beast and he is definitely a gun goal scorer.
I think Emile has been massive for the Club. He-s given the Newcastle Jets an instantly recognisable face and he-s the person people around the world think of when they hear about the Newcastle Jets.
He-s a world class player and a world class marquee for us to have and on top of all that he-s a great guy. We-re just blessed as a Club to have him here.
@unrealWaldo asks via Twitter: Ruben, where do you see the goals coming from this season and do we need more depth in the striker position?
RZ: I think the goals will come from a number of different players, because all those boys in the front third can score. Nathan Burns, Adam Taggart, Emile Heskey, Michael Bridges, Craig Goodwin and James Virgili can all find the back of the net, so I think there will be plenty of goals for us this season.
@hecivan70 asks via Twitter: What’s the most memorable goal you’ve scored Rubes?
RZ: Probably the goal I scored against Perth Glory while I was playing for Sydney FC in the first season of the A-League.
I also scored a tap-in against Serbia at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 which was pretty special as well.
Owen Smith asks via email: Ruben, which Jets players are the ones to watch out for this season?
RZ: I think a couple of boys in our back four could have a big season, so I-ll go with Sam Gallaway and Kew Jaliens, but I think everyone in the squad has developed and progressed since last year.
@sweetrodney asks via Twitter: Hey Ruben, if you score six goals this season do you care if I get a portrait of you tattooed on my leg?
RZ: It definitely doesn-t bother me. If I score six goals this season I might get a portrait of someone tattooed on my leg as well, maybe Emile!
Jess March asks via email: Do you consider yourself to be an honorary Novocastrian? We think you are!
RZ: I really do. I feel like the adopted son of Newcastle at the moment and I-m really proud to be captain of this team.
I just want to bring the town and the team success. That-s going to be tough, but I really think we can do it.
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!
