Newcastle Jets captain Nigel Boogaard says the club are making no excuses for their defeat against Melbourne City on Sunday, and are simply happy that they have the opportunity to bounce back from the result quickly when Adelaide United come to town this Friday night.
Boogaard hasn’t played for the Jets since injuring his ankle in the club’s scoreless draw away to his former employers Adelaide in Hyundai A-League 2015/16 round 7, but having trained strongly with the main group on Tuesday the ex-Red could well return to Scott Miller‘s game day squad for the visit of Guillermo Amor’s men.
“It’s obviously difficult when you can’t contribute,” Boogaard said regarding his recent absence due to injury. “It’s been a tough few weeks not being able to be out there and help the boys.”
“Obviously the boys after the game were disappointed, and that’s natural because we know as a team that we can deliver better.”
“There is no point dwelling on the result, though we obviously analyse it and pick it apart and learn from the experience.”
“The morale is still very good and obviously it’s a short week, so the focus is Friday.”
“The good thing is that it’s a short turnaround so we have another home game, another opportunity to improve and hopefully we can go out there and get back to winning ways and really make the community proud of what we’re doing on the park.”
Having played in the Hyundai A-League for the past ten years Boogaard understands better than most the oft rollercoaster nature of the competition.
So while the Jets may have slipped out of the top six in recent weeks, the wily defender says the club is not overreacting given the tightness and competitiveness of the competition.
Indeed, just six points separate second placed Brisbane from the Jets, who are currently in seventh position.
Moreover under Miller and his coaching staff the Jets are eight points and four places better off than they were at the same stage last season, showing improvement against the club’s league rivals has and is most certainly being made.
“I think it’s the beauty of the [Hyundai] A-League that on their day if anyone plays well they can get a result,” Boogaard said.
“I don’t think you can overreact on one bad result.”
“We have been pretty solid and haven’t conceded large result like that, so far us it’s good that it’s a short week.”
“Everyone will be switched on this week and doing their job Friday night.”
“It’s a big game for us Friday night and hopefully there’s big support there for us, too.”
A dazzling fireworks display will follow the club’s Hyundai A-League 2015/16 round 11 encounter with Adelaide United at Hunter Stadium this Friday night.
Newcastle Jets vs. Adelaide United – Hyundai A-League 2015/16 Round 11
When: Friday 18 December 2015
Where: Hunter Stadium, Newcastle
Kick-off: 7:40pm
Tickets: Please click here to purchase match tickets
Social Media: Use the hashtag #NEWvADL @NewcastleJetsFC
Post-Match: Stay behind post game for a dazzling fireworks display
