Focus. Passion. Ruthlessness. These are just some of the behaviours Newcastle Jets boss Scott Miller is expecting – nay, demanding – to see this Sunday when his side travel south to face long-standing rivals Central Coast Mariners in Gosford.
The Jets, lamentably, have not defeated the Mariners on their home turf since 2008, and have indeed not won against their fiercest foes at any venue since 2012.
But under Miller at the Jets and his opposite gaffer Tony Walmsley at the Mariners, each club is undeniably different from past seasons when the F3 Derby has been played.
“I am here to change that,” Miller said of the club’s recent F3 Derby outcomes at his pre-match media briefing on Friday.
“I think the trend [of results] needs to change this weekend, that’s for sure.”
“We have to be really focused for this fixture and mentally give it the respect it deserves.”
“It’s a derby, so I am asking for a measured, passionate performance from our players, implementing the game plan but playing with the desire that we really want to beat the Mariners.”
“It’s about hammering home pressure on the opposition and making a stance … that’s the next step for our team, being ruthless.”
“The trend needs to change this weekend.” “We have to be ruthless.”“I am asking for a measured, passionate performance from our players.” “We really want to beat the Mariners.”See some of what Newcastle Jets boss Scott Miller has had to say ahead of Sunday’s #F3Derby!
Posted by Newcastle Jets on Thursday, 25 February 2016
While Central Coast will be without a number of regular starters this Sunday due to either injury or suspension – Storm Roux, Fabio Ferreira, & Jacob Poscoliero among them – Miller believes the loss of some of their key players could in fact galvanise the Mariners.
As such, he is demanding that his charges venture to Central Coast Stadium without an ounce of complacency in their minds.
“I foresee a strong opponent on the weekend, there is no doubt about that,” he said. “I see a club [Mariners] that will want a reaction and a manager who will want a reaction from his team.”
“Granted they will have a few changes in their team, but I don’t see that there will be much difference in their application and work ethic.”
“I think it might even be more because the people that will be coming in will be wanting and playing for their careers, so that a big point that I will be making to my players.”
“So we are not going down there lightly at all. We will need to be on top of our game.”
“[Winning] this weekend will demonstrate progress, but more importantly the Jets are not just focused on beating the Mariners, but really pushing in the final rounds with an aim of reaching the Finals.”
“It’s a big game for the club in more ways than one,” Miller said.
Central Coast Mariners vs. Newcastle Jets – Hyundai A-League 2015/16 round 21
When: Sunday 28 February 2016
Where: Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Kick-off: 5:00pm
Tickets: Please click here to purchase away bay match tickets
Transport: Join the Squadron by catching the train south to Gosford. Squadron will be departing Hamilton (12:40pm), Broadmeadow (12:43pm), Cardiff (12:50pm), Fassifern (1:01pm), arriving into Gosford at 1:50pm
Pre-Match: Join likeminded Jets fans at the Gosford Hotel on Mann Street from 2:00pm onwards
Pre-Match March: March to the Central Coast Stadium from Gosford Hotel at 4:15pm
Social Media: Join the conversation using #F3Derby
