Newcastle Jets captain Jobe Wheelhouse says he is hoping to become more of a goal scoring threat for the Jets this season.
Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets captain Jobe Wheelhouse says he is hoping to become more of a goal scoring threat for the Jets this coming A-League season.
Wheelhouse scored the winner in the Jets- 1-0 trial match win over Rockdale City Suns at Ilinden Sports Centre on Tuesday night.
After making a late run into the box, Wheelhouse calmly side-footed home a square ball from Marko Jesic to put the Jets ahead moments before the half time break.
After scoring four goals from midfield for the Jets last season, Wheelhouse said he is hoping to improve on that tally in 2012/13.
“When I was younger I used to score a lot more goals,” he said.
“The potential to score goals is obviously there, it-s just a matter of getting the best out of my body and doing the best I can for the team.
“If Gary (van Egmond) wants me to play as a number six, I can play there, or if I can provide some goals and a bit more steel further up the park with Ruben (Zadkovich), I can help us become a better side.”
Wheelhouse had a disrupted start to the pre-season due to foot surgery, but the 27-year-old said he was slowly starting to regain his form and fitness.
“It hasn-t been too bad, but I-m still a little bit rusty and my touches and things need to improve,” he said.
“I feel quite good in terms of my fitness and how my foot feels so that-s probably the most pleasing part from my point of view at the moment.”
The fixture against Rockdale was arguably the Jets- toughest test trial match to date, and Wheelhouse said it was pleasing the side were able to extend their unbeaten run in pre-season matches to five games.
“Last night was another step up and the conditions were quite hard as well,” he said.
“It was obviously like a grand final for them, like all the teams we play. They put in a lot of effort.
“A winning mentality is what we-re trying to instil at the Club. Obviously we want to be winning and competitive.
“It-s good to see some of the young boys starting to flourish and hopefully we can build on the performances we-ve had in the pre-season, coming into the A-League games.”
The Jets will face-off against A-League opposition for the first time in pre-season on Saturday when they take on Wellington Phoenix at Thomas and Coffey Park.
“It-s only going to be a step up again to play against Wellington,” Wheelhouse said.
“We know they-re a good team and it-ll be a bit a of yardstick to where we-re at. I-m looking forward to it and hopefully we can keep the winning going in the pre-season, that-s for sure.”
