After the Jets disappointing result in Wellington, captain Jobe Wheelhouse hopes they can restart their season this Sunday…
The second round of the 2011/12 A-League season saw the Newcastle Jets cross the Tasman and go head to head against Wellington Phoenix for their first defeat of the season, going down 2-nil.
“Unfortunately the game wasn-t our best against Wellington. People are saying that we were affected by the travel but I don-t want to make excuses, this is the industry and we travel regularly so we can-t be relying on home games every week,” said Wheelhouse.
“I really couldn-t say that Sunday-s match produced a stand out player, but I felt that some of the more senior players shone a little more. Disappointingly though, I don-t feel that anyone in the team really gave it 100 per cent. We have a lot of work to do to beat our opposition teams.”
Having appointed Craig Deans as stand in head coach just five days prior to the first game of the season, the Newcastle Jets have adjusted exceptionally well.
“I think Craig has been good for the team, gaining a win in the first week. This week in training we will be watching the game back and watching our mistakes and working on a sharper game plan. We need to be harder to beat; we were just too easily beaten against Wellington,” Wheelhouse said.
“From a captain-s perspective I will sit down with the boys and talk to them about where they felt we unraveled and get their views on the game, so hopefully we can get a victory next time.”
This Sunday will see the Newcastle Jets take on arch rivals Central Coast Mariners in the much anticipated F3 derby.
The rivalry of the teams dates back prior to the Jets Grand Final victory in the 2007/2008 season.
Wheelhouse didn-t make it on the field that game and he is itching to prove to the Mariners what he and his team are made of under his captaincy.
“The F3 Derby will be a hard match. The Mariners are quick and sharp on the field and we are going to have to step up if we want to walk away with the points. We are hoping to restart our season this Sunday, work hard and work as a team and produce a result we are proud of,” he added.
Having reached 10,000 Newcastle Jets members for the 2011/12 season the team is feeling the support of their fans. Some even made the flight over to Wellington last week to cheer them on.
“It-s such a good feeling knowing that there are that many people behind you supporting their team. A massive thank you goes out to all our members and fans. Also, thanks to the Club and the media for getting behind the Newcastle Jets and rallying so much support.”
With the home crowd behind them and more points on the board than their rivals, the Central Coast Mariners; the Newcastle Jets are out to walk away with the three points in this Sunday-s F3 Derby.
