Newcastle Jets boss Scott has revealed that he has challenged his players to finish their season with a bang by winning three from three against Perth Glory (H), Brisbane Roar (A) and Central Coast Mariners (A).
Speaking with local press earlier this week, Miller let the media in on one of his team talks and particularly the challenge that he has put to his squad.
“I have challenged the group this week to win every fixture, because if we maximise every fixture we’ll obtain 36 points,” Miller said.
“If you look at the last four years [in the Hyundai A-League] the average to achieve finals footballs is 35 points, so if we can get 36 and not creep into the finals series we’ll see that as a good year.”
Miller has analysed numbers from previous A-League seasons carefully, and the figures have highlighted to him that this season is somewhat of an anomaly.
Indeed, by and large the competition is being more tightly contested that in previous years.
“Looking at the top of the table I am foreseeing the title being won with one of the smallest tally of points,” he explained.
“And at the other end of it, the final top six position could be one of the highest.”
“I am challenging the group to acquire maximum points over the next three weeks but more importantly in the final third to take the chances we create,” he said.
Miller’s Jets play Perth Glory at Hunter Stadium on Easter Saturday, and the visitors will be without Josh Risdon who is currently on Caltex Socceroos duty.
Risdon is key to the Glory defence, and Miller predicts his absence may affect the balance of their backline.
Former Danish international Morten Nordstrand – who claimed Denmark’s Goal of the Year Award for 2015 earlier this week – could be one Jets player who is able to profit from any imbalance in the Glory rear-guard.
“They’ve got some forced changes,” Miller said.
“Their back four will be slightly different, so the balance and how we can affect it will be interesting.”
“Morten is a unique player. He has identified space and how the league operates in terms of back fours and the space in front.”
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“He [Nordstrand] has really integrated into the squad,” Miller concluded.
