Gary van Egmond believes the Jets’ defence will need to be at their best to deal with the Brisbane Roar’s attacking threats.
Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets head coach Gary van Egmond believes the Jets- defence will need to be at their best to deal with the attacking threat posed by Brisbane Roar at Hunter Stadium on Saturday night.
Newcastle will enter the game with confidence after putting in their best defensive effort of the season against Adelaide United last weekend.
Van Egmond said it is important that the Jets build on that this weekend against the Roar.
“It-s good that we-ve (kept our first clean sheet), but by the same token we need to ensure that we don-t rest on our laurels and that we keep working on it,” van Egmond said.
“We have to be extremely diligent against a team like Brisbane, who given space and time, have got some really good players who can exploit you.
“Not only as a back four, but from a whole defensive collective as far as the team is concerned, we need to be on our game this weekend.”
Van Egmond indicated there will be minimal changes to the Jets- line-up against the two-time defending Champions, depending on the fitness of a number of players.
“It will depend on how people pull up from training today and what happens tomorrow,” van Egmond said.
“With the way the back four played last week, we were very happy with that.
“With a player like Craig Goodwin, you can play him either at left-back or further up the park, so we just need to see which area we utilise him for Brisbane.
“He can play well in either position and again, that will be determined by which bodies we feel are going to be right for the game.”
Jets skipper Jobe Wheelhouse looks set to return to action in some capacity against the Roar, bolstering the Jets- midfield stocks.
Van Egmond was quick to praise the performance of Josh Brillante who has deputised in central midfield during Whellhouse-s injury lay-off.
He said the 19-year-old did a good job of filling Wheelhouse-s role as a tough, uncompromising general in the middle of the park.
“We-re obviously down on a few more of the experienced boys to do that, but that gives the opportunity to someone like Josh Brillante to really step-up and do that,” van Egmond said.
“He definitely has the physical capabilities, he-s obviously getting more and more experienced with the games that he-s getting and he has the potential to be that type of player in there.
“With Ruben or Jobe being there or not, he still needs to show leadership in that position and that-s not only by the way of communication, but that-s also by his actions and I think he-s getting better at that.”
Newcastle Jets v Brisbane Roar
Saturday, January 12
Hunter Stadium
Kick-off 7.45pm
Tickets from PROticket
Limited parking will be available for purchase at the car park entrances on game days for the remainder of the Jets 2012/13 season. Whilst there will be parking available for purchase, Hunter Venues does encourage patrons to pre-purchase their parking tickets at a PROticket outlet or online at www.proticket.com.au as parking is subject to availability.
