Adam Taggart believes the Jets have nothing to lose heading into Friday’s must-win clash with Adelaide United at Hunter Stadium.
Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets striker Adam Taggart believes the Jets have nothing to lose heading into Friday-s must-win clash with Adelaide United at Hunter Stadium.
The Jets need to defeat the fourth-placed Reds and hope Perth Glory can upset Sydney FC on Sunday to give them a chance to sneak into the top six on goal difference.
“That-s the way we-ve got to go into it, we-ve got nothing to lose,” Taggart said.
“We need to go out absolutely firing from the start to try and get not only the result but the biggest result we can get in terms of goal difference.
“We absolutely need a result and the only way we can get into the finals is by scoring numerous goals.”
Both teams are coming off 2-2 draws last week and Taggart is confident Friday-s clash will be an attacking affair as the Jets push for the goals they need.
“I think they-re a good team and they-ve got some good individual players and the counter attack is something they-ve done well this year,” he said.
“With the way we want to play it-ll be pretty direct as well so I think it will be a pretty attacking game.”
Taggart is three goals clear in the race for the Golden Boot award but insists his focus is purely on giving the Jets the best chance to secure a finals position.
“For me I don-t want to get too far ahead of myself, there-s still one more game this the season and the main priority is to try and get in the finals,” he said.
“If scoring goals is how I can help the team then that-s exactly what I want to be doing and the Golden Boot would be lovely to get but the reason you play in the A-League is to play finals football.”
The young striker-s breakout season with the Jets has headed calls for his selection for Australia-s World Cup squad but he remains philosophical about his chances of heading to Brazil.
“It-s not been too much in my mind, if you don-t put in the performances than you don-t get a chance,” he said.
“My main focus has to be on week to week for the jets and if I can get a reward from that then great, but if not it-s also a positive because its about learning and putting in good performances.
“At the end of the day I-m still young, I-m only 20 years old. Learning and developing as a player and person is a massive goal of mine and to be able to focus on the Jets that-s what-s helped the most.”
Newcastle Jets v Adelaide United
Friday, April 11
Hunter Stadium
Kick-off 7.30pm
Tickets available from PROticket.
