Scott Neville says the Jets are staying positive ahead of their blockbuster clash against Sydney FC at Hunter Stadium on Saturday.
Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets defender Scott Neville says the Jets are staying positive ahead of their blockbuster clash against Sydney FC at Hunter Stadium on Saturday, despite being without a win in their last five outings.
Neville said the Jets are determined to “stick together” and break their recent run of poor results with a positive performance against the Sky Blues on Saturday.
“We-ve just got to keep going, working hard on the training pitch and believing in everyone in the team,” he said.
“We need to make sure we stick together, don-t break away from the group and make sure we-re all going in the right direction.
“Hopefully we can turn it around for the fans and the supporters and everyone at the club.”
A big crowd is expected for Saturday-s fixture with Sydney bringing their marquee striker Alessandro Del Piero to the Hunter for the first time this season.
The Jets emerged triumphant when the two sides last met, securing a 3-2 victory over Sydney in front of 35,419 at Allianz Stadium in Round 2.
Neville said the Jets would be drawing on the confidence garnered from that victory on Saturday night.
“That-s probably the highlight of the season so far. We won 3-2, but we probably could have won by a few more,” he said.
“Sydney aren-t going so well at the moment either, so hopefully we can get them this week.
“We just have to start positively and try to play a better brand of football than we did against Perth.
“Especially at our home ground, we have to make sure we get on top of them early and break any confidence that they have.”
The Jets are still yet to keep a clean sheet this season and Neville said that came down to concentration lapses at crucial moments, which was something they team was looking to address.
“Individual errors are costing us most weeks, but it-s not just individual errors, but as a team unit as well and we-ve got to rectify them sooner rather than later otherwise it-s going to be costly,” Neville said.
“I think the first half we were under a lot of pressure and dealt with it really well until a lapse in concentration just before half-time.
“I think it-s the third or fourth time this year where we-ve conceded just before the break which kills your momentum and also kills your confidence a little bit. We-ve just got to make sure we can erase these errors.”
Newcastle Jets v Sydney FC
Saturday, December 22
Hunter Stadium
Kick-off 5.30pm
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.
