New Newcastle Jets defender Daniel Mullen says he’s excited by his fresh start with the men from Hunter Stadium and believes his positivity can rub off on the Jets squad in the second half of Hyundai A-League season ten.
Mullen trained for the second time with his new teammates on Monday morning, and after the session spoke with local media about why he’s opted to join Phil Stubbins’ playing ranks, and how he believes he can make a difference to the Club’s fortunes in Australia’s top flight.
“I am here to play for Newcastle Jets and I am really looking forward to the opportunity,” Mullen said. “They’ve [Newcastle Jets] given me a chance here to play to the end of the season, so I am grateful for that and I am looking forward to the first game this week.”
“I have come here with a clean slate and the two sessions that I have had have been positive.”
“I have always been a positive player no matter where I’ve played, and I have always tried to rub that off on the other players,” he said.
The Jets host Brisbane Roar at Hunter Stadium on Friday evening and the team will be looking to restore pride in the Club’s crest following a last start struggle against Adelaide United – one of Mullen’s former Clubs – at Coopers Stadium.
Mullen may well make his Jets debut against Frans Thijssen’s charges as Stubbins’ side seek to redress their home loss to Roar earlier in the campaign.
The imposing defender could also play a crucial role in Newcastle’s bid to thwart the attacking prowess of Roar’s recently signed Serbian striker Andrija Kaluđerović, tricky Brazilian attacker Henrique, or German gun Thomas Broich who is expected to be available for selection for Brisbane following an absence from action due to an ankle injury.
“Brisbane are a good team,” Mullen explained. “They have been for the last couple of years now. They have a new signing [Kaluđerović] and I think [Thomas] Broich will be back but we’ve all played against them before and we know what to expect.”
“On the other end of things they don’t really know what to expect with us [so] it’s going to be a test for sure, but we’re going to have a good week of training here and it’s a fresh start. Hopefully we can hit the ground running.”
Mullen said he understands the need for the team to show positivity and passion in each and every match for the Novocastrians.
“They’ve [Mullen’s Jets teammates] really relayed the message to me that the fans have been so loyal and it’s up to us to repay them,” he said. “We want to turn things around.”
Newcastle Jets vs. Brisbane Roar – Hyundai A-League 2014/15 Round 16
Friday 6 February 2015
Hunter Stadium, Newcastle
Kick-off: 7:40pm
Gates open: 6:30pm
Tickets: Please click here to purchase tickets to the match.
Twitter: Join the match conversation using #NEWvBRI
