Craig Deans says the Jets are not getting carried away following Sunday’s 2-0 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers.
Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets assistant coach Craig Deans says the Jets are not getting carried away following Sunday-s 2-0 victory over second placed Western Sydney Wanderers at Pirtek Stadium.
The Jets produced one of their most complete performances of the season to move within two points of the top six ahead of Saturday-s clash with an in-form Melbourne Heart at Hunter Stadium.
“We were pretty confident going into the game that we would get something out of it, but the manner in which we won the game was the most pleasing thing,” he said.
“But it-s one win and we-ve got six more very important games to come so we-re not going to get too carried away.
“I think we need to be very focused and not get too far ahead of ourselves, you enjoy the moment after the game and come today the focus is purely on the next game.”
After a shocking start to the season Melbourne Heart are now the form team in the Hyundai A-League following five consecutive victories and Deans admitted the Jets will need to be at their best to secure the three points.
“It-s chalk and cheese for them, they were pretty unlucky early in the season, they had a couple of injuries and Engelaar has been a very important player for them in the run they-ve gone on,” he said.
“It-s probably a good thing for us that we-re playing a team that-s in good form, it-ll make sure the players are mentally ready for the game.
“There-s not going to be an opportunity to drop the level of effort or the work effort from last weekend, if we-re not spot on with that this weekend than we-re going to make it tough for ourselves.”
The Jets are the only team in the Hyundai A-League to defeat the top three teams away from home but Deans admitted they needed to replicate their solid away form at Hunter Stadium.
“For us not just this week but for the rest of the season it-s about making sure work ethic, discipline and desire to win is higher at home than it is when we are away,” he said.
“If we can match our effort at home with the crowd behind us than we can really make a big difference.”
The Jets deployed attacking trio Joel Griffiths, Emile Heskey and Adam Taggart with great success on the weekend against the Wanderers and Deans hoped the combination would continue to develop.
“It-s the first time Joel, Emile and Taggart have played together and the combination between the three of them was promising at times,” he said.
“Emile now has three people around him that make very good forward runs, they-re very positive in their play and he-s able to get on the ball and play a killer pass.
“I think the more they play together that-s only going to get better and I think the partnership between the three of them is looking positive.”
Newcastle Jets v Melbourne Heart
Saturday, March 8
Hunter Stadium
Kick-off 5.30pm
Tickets available from PROticket.
