Gary van Egmond says the Jets have to bounce back from last week’s heartbreaking loss to Perth against Adelaide United on Friday.
Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets head coach Gary van Egmond says the Jets have no choice but to put last week-s heartbreaking loss to Perth Glory behind them and bounce back immediately with a win over Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday.
Friday-s clash with the Reds now looms as a must-win game for the Jets after they were brought undone by Michael Thwaite-s stoppage time winner against Perth.
Newcastle still occupy sixth spot on the A-League ladder, but with a number of the other teams in contention having a superior goal difference as well as a game in hand, it is crucial the Jets secure all three points against Adelaide.
“We know what we need to do to make the six, and that-s probably win both (remaining) games,” van Egmond said.
“We go to Adelaide with the knowledge of what we have to do and in some ways that-s a good thing.”
Van Egmond is confident his squad will be able to draw on the many positives from their performance against the Glory in order to get themselves back up for Friday-s match against Adelaide.
“It-s part of football and you need to respond,” van Egmond said.
“It-s a good experience for some of these younger players to go through to see that you have to back up and fight for your wins.
“You need to keep on working hard and keep that mental attitude to ensure that you-re right for the next game.
“That-s being a professional footballer. It-s going to be a good task for them this week, but again they need to ensure they look after themselves, do all the little things right in regards to their recovery and what have you.
“We-ll do the work on the training field and the video analysis and get ready for Adelaide.
“You-ve got to go there with the mindset that you have to win both of those games, I think that-s the most important thing.”
