I was referring to the fact they had the wrong picture up.Quote:
Originally Posted by Couscous
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I was referring to the fact they had the wrong picture up.Quote:
Originally Posted by Couscous
Yes, but I preferred what I preferred.
FROM THE HERALD.
NEWCASTLE Jets came from two goals down to notch a 2-all draw with Western Sydney at Parklea on Wednesday in what coach Ernie Merrick labelled a valuable dress rehearsal for their up-coming FFA Cup battle.
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The Jets take on Melbourne Victory in the round of 32 at AAMI Park on Wednesday night.
Panamanian striker Abdiel Arroyo is expected to make his debut off the bench against Victory, while captain Nigel Boogaard (knee) and keeper Glen Moss (foot) are on track to be available.
None of the trio played in the trial, which was held behind closed doors.
Jason Hoffman (65th) and Angus Thurgate (68th) hit the back of the net for the Jets after Bruce Kamau (12th) and Daniel Georgieski (35th) had put Wanderers ahead.
"Bearing in mind we are 10 weeks out, I'm very happy with where we are at," Merrick said. "It was a big step forward from the Edgeworth match. It was much better tactically and the quality of passing was good in the first 20 minutes, and we got better the further the game went. It was a good dress rehearsal for the FFA Cup. Victory nor ourselves will be at our best. No-one will be at their best. That is impossible."
Matt Millar went close to putting the Jets ahead in the ninth minute when he struck the crossbar from a Dimi Petratos cross.
Wanderers then took control with a goal to winger Bruce Kamau in the 12th minute.
Former Jets fullback Daniel Georgievski double the advantage with a powerful shot in the 35th minute.
"We had some chances in the box but we didn't finish very well," Merrick said. "To be fair to Wanderers, after they scored, they dominated the rest of the first half. They pressed us really high and it worked. Instead of passing the ball in behind them, where there was a lot of space, we were getting caught in possession. We changed a couple of things in the second half and got stronger and stronger."
The Jets hit back midway through the second half when Hoffman slotted home a cutback from Steve Ugarkovic. Three minutes later substitute Angus Thurgate got on the end of a Petratos cross and headed in.
"We controlled the last 15 minutes and should have put them away but we didn't," Merrick said. "Overall, I'd say a draw was a fair result. Bearing in mind we are 10 weeks out, I'm very happy with where we are at. But we can't concede a goal cheaply and then drop our heads for the rest of the half. We spoke about lifting and pressing more and they did it really well. They responded to a slight strategic change."
Nikolai Topor-Stanley got through 75 minutes in his first start for the season. Matt Millar, Ben Kantarovski and Dimi Petratos were replaced early in the second half.
"We managed to give a lot of our younger boys a run - Pat Langlois, Jack Simmons, Kosta and Maki Petratos and Keegan Hughes in goals," Merrick said. "Everyone did a job."
Damien Lovelock has passed away
https://twitter.com/TheWorldGame/sta...02670568976385
Draw is out, bye first round:
https://www.a-league.com.au/sites/al...aw%20PDF_1.pdf
From the Herald.
AUGUST 12 2019 - 7:00PM
A-League: Irish import hits the ground running for Jets
James Gardiner
Local Sport
WES Hoolahan has trained only twice with the Newcastle Jets but his new teammates are already starting to "pick the brain" of the former Premier League star.
The 37-year-old Norwich City legend was all class in a ball-work session on Monday.
His movement was sharp, passing crisp. Most impressive was the midfielder's ability to link with players, switch the point of attack and find pockets of space.
"I knew he would be good but he is above and beyond my expectations," coach Ernie Merrick said. "His passing, movement, ability on the ball ... he has already started talking to young Angus Thurgate about his positioning off the ball. He is very good."
Hoolahan has played 30-plus games a season in either the Premier League or Championship in four of the past five years and had been training with lower league side Cambridge United before travelling to Newcastle.
Merrick said he was a strong chance to be involved in the Jets' friendly against Hamilton Olympic at Darling St Oval on Thursday. If not, definitely against Edgeworth in the FFA Cup round of 16 battle at Jack McLaughlan Oval on Wednesday week.
"He is very fit," Jets midfielder Steve Ugarkovic said. "His movement off the ball and his body movement on the ball. The way he sells players with his shoulders ... having that option in front of me, he looks sharp. He has come here to do very well.
"He is definitely someone I can learn from. He is a great mind to have on the field and in the change room.
"I will pick his brain and see what I can do and changes I can make to my game."
Hoolahan has played the majority of his career as a No.10. With Ronny Vargas departing, Socceroo Dimi Petratos was set to assume that role. Who plays where and how they combine remains to be seem.
However, they did appear to form an instant chemistry on the training pitch on Monday.
"It is still only early," Ugarkovic said. "I think Wes is the sort of player who can gel in any team. He is someone who is going to bring others players into the game, which is exciting."
Ugarkovic produced a herculean effort in the Jets' thrilling 3-2 extra-time triumph over Melbourne Victory in the FFA Cup last week.
The midfielder set a new club record, covering 17.5 kilometres during the game at an average of 130 metres per minute.
"I have always prided myself on doing the dirty work," the 24-year-old said. "It was a big output from all the boys. We all worked hard. It was good to see that effort and to win was even better."
The Jets are expecting a different type of game against Edgeworth, who defended stoutly and caused the A-League outfit problems in a friendly last month.
"We will show them as much respect as an A-League team," Ugarkovic said.
"They are a good side, have good players and are doing well in their season. It will be a different game to Victory. That is the way football is. We will stick to the way we play. It will be a good experience, good for the region to be playing a game out there. I'm definitely looking forward to it."
i know a bit of it is about hyping up the new guy
but
it always amazes me when grown ass professional football players come across a 37yr old from the other side of the world and think hes some sort of alien creature.
"oooh hes fit"
"oooh hes sharp"
"oooh hes smart" etc.
do they not realise our players and coaches should also be really fit, really smart and really sharp?
the **** these people doing in these off seasons and then at training?
But does he even have boots? Ffs. Smoke and mirrors.
i like the work from the herald - each year they just change the name and republish. hope the original journo is getting royalties!Quote:
Originally Posted by plague
From the Herald
A-League: Champness puts Jets career on hold to chase music dream
Vince Rugari and James Gardiner
Local Sport
MUSIC MAN: Joey Champness has put his football career on the back burner to focus on hip hop.
Newcastle Jets winger Joe Champness is convinced he can make it big as a musician after making the bold call to put his career on hold in the A-League and sacrifice a possible Tokyo Olympics appearance to pursue his hip-hop ambitions.
An aspiring rapper who performs under the stage name JOWIC (pronounced Joey-Cee), Champness was given permission to skip the first month of Newcastle's pre-season to spend time in Los Angeles, where he recorded music with the Create Music Group and mixed it with some industry heavyweights.
The 22-year-old returned to Australia over the weekend but will now return to the United States for an extended period after reaching an agreement with the Jets over his future. Champness has signed a two-year contract extension but will spend at least the next six months overseas on what is essentially unpaid leave - meaning he will miss the start of the upcoming A-League season.
Regarded as one of the most promising young players in the competition, Champness' decision will also impact his international ambitions. He is a member of the Olyroos, Australia's under-23 national team who are due to play in a qualifying tournament for Tokyo 2020 early next year.
Champness is fully aware of what he is passing up and is prepared for the inevitable criticism and backlash that will come his way but believes he has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in front of him.
"I wouldn't be doing this if I wasn't convinced that there's something out there," Champness told the Herald. "I met with some really great people and I can't talk about it too much at this point ... there's risk involved, of course, but there's risk in everything.
"There's a lot of circumstances and factors that people aren't aware of as well. It'll most likely stay that way. All I can do is make the decision I feel is best.
"It's not a normal situation, that's for sure. I've got a lot of love for the Newcastle Jets and a lot of respect for everyone on that team - I'm contracted there for the next three years, so it's an honour to be given that sort of opportunity and trust from the club in that sense as well."
Hip-hop is not a mere side-project for Champness, who it's understood also turned down a loan move to newly-promoted English League Two side Salford City - owned by several former Manchester United legends, including David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs - to concentrate on music.
Champness is as serious about the craft of making hip-hop as he is about football, and the Jets are fully aware of that. If he wishes to return to the club at any stage in the near future, the new deal gives him scope to do so and Newcastle will happily accommodate him.
Asked for a highlight from his recent stint in the US, Champness said: "(There were) a lot of highlights, but the process above all is a highlight in itself. Being able to work with different minds and visionaries who can put work in the right hands is a major factor. Details are to come on how that looks exactly but take it from me, it's a good situation for me as an artist and my team as well."
Merrick, though disappointed to lose a game breaker, said he was understanding of the player's stance.
"I would hate to force a talented musician to, in any way, give up his dream of music," coach Ernie Merrick said. "I think he can do both but he feels he has to focus on one at the moment.
"As a coach I am pretty happy with the way we have dealt with the issue and not made a big thing of it. He has re-signed for another two years. Short-term, long-term I think it will work itself out."
Jets chief executive Lawrie McKinna concedes there is a chance Champness may never play football again.
"He might be in the US for six months, he might be there for a year, he might never come back to play football," McKinna said. "But we thought it was important for the Newcastle Jets to have him signed up, so if he does come back he comes back to Newcastle and not to another club.
"We did the right thing and let him go to the US for a month. People might say that backfired. If a player walks out on a club there is nothing we can do."
Champness' departure leaves the Jets with 19 senior players and three scholarship players on the roster.
"We are actively looking for a another player. It might not be a wide player but we will definitely bring in a player," McKinna said.
I wonder what the budget is for the replacement and what position we are looking at. I can see holes in the squad everywhere but especially at left back. Also I still don't see a lot of goals in us.
You make it sound like we look at our squad and handpick players to come and fill any gaps.
When In fact it’s a matter of waiting for an agent to tell us some guy is keen on a run and we pay up and claim to be a not for profit organisation.
The club has no interest in signing a LB. We have to watch Johnny K struggle there all seasonQuote:
Originally Posted by Tommyjet
Or Lachy.Quote:
Originally Posted by StannyCFCJET
Topor has got a hell of a work to do...
Short price now that the Jets sign Andrew Hoole to fill JOWIC departure
3.....2.....1.....
I wish McKinna was good at music.
I wish he was good at anything at all.Quote:
Originally Posted by plague
I wish he wasn't a GypoQuote:
Originally Posted by Frodo
anyone else see that small piece of info today suggesting wooden spooners wont be allowed to compete in the following years FFA cup?
a small step obviously but its good to see the clubs going the way of punishing failure instead of rewarding it like the americans.
more of it please.
When we going to do it properly and relegate the Gypos??Quote:
Originally Posted by plague
From the Herald
A-League: Jets expect A-League test against Roar and Glory in Surf City Cup
James Gardiner
Newcastle Jets
ERNIE Merrick believes the Newcastle Jets are showing "good signs" but the experienced coach expects his new-look attack to be put to a truer test against A-League opposition at the Surf City Cup on the Gold Coast.
The Jets tackle Brisbane Roar at the Croatian Sports Centre on Sunday and back-up three days later against 2019 Premiers Plate winners Perth Glory.
"The Gold Coast Knights have done a tremendous job in putting on this tournament," Merrick said. "It is great for the community up there and shows how much interest there is in football.
"For us, it is another step in our preparation. Having two games in three days gives us a chance to rotate the squad a little bit.
"The games will be very serious.
"For the Roar, it's really their home crowd. I know its the Gold Coast but I'm sure it is a large part of their catchment area. They will want to do exceptionally well.
"Glory, it is always tough when you live so far away to get quality games, so they will be playing their best team as well."
With former Premier League star Wes Hoolahan, Dimi Petratos and Panamanian striker Abdiel Arroyo prominent, the Jets accounted for Edgeworth 5-1 in the FFA Cup 10 days ago.
The Eagles played with a back five and looked to hurt the A-League side on the counter.
However, they couldn't handle the pace of Arroyo and Nick Fitzgerald and the trickery of Hoolahan and Petratos, who on Friday was overlooked for the Socceroos squad to play Kuwait in a World Cup qualifier on September 10.
"When you play against a back three with two wingbacks, you have to play in a certain way," Merrick said. "We practiced that against Edgeworth and it worked really well. But there is no doubt that it is going to be much more difficult against Brisbane Roar and Perth Glory. Another step up is good.
"If you get it wrong against Edgeworth, you are in real trouble. To score five goals, and perhaps we should have had a few more, is a good sign. But we have to be sharper, we have to be quicker and we know when we get caught on the counter attack against good teams, you pay a price for it. You have to have your defence actively ready for a counter.
"There has been a major focus on getting out of our back half quickly, getting into the front third with numbers and finishing with one touch. That will continue."
Ben Kantarovski has recovered from a groin niggle and will be involved. Nigel Boogaard, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Lachlan Jackson and Glen Moss are still working their way back to full fitness and will travel but not play.
"We could play Glen but will probably give him a little bit longer," Merrick said. "We want him super fit for the season so there is no point in rushing him right now. He should be right for the FFA Cup, so should Nikolai. Nigel is touch and go and so is Lachlan. We will take the whole squad. We are keeping them all together for a bit of bonding as they say."
The Roar, who went down in the FFA Cup to the Central Coast Mariners in a penalty shoot-out on Wednesday night, were expected to field a depleted side against Perth in the Surf City Cup opener on Friday night.
They are expected to be back to close to full-strength against the Jets.
" Robbie Fowler is the new coach, they have changed the team around a fair bit so it will be ideal to see how they play, what there structure is.
"It will be good to catch up with Roy O'Donovan. He is a good guy and did a great job for us when he was here.
"He will be revved up I'm sure. He always is. He is a professional. I'm looking forward to catching up with him again. He did a great job for us when he was here.
"Both teams, I think, will play open and honest football and entertain what should be a good crowd."
Some not so good news from brisvegas
Brisbane outgun Newcastle Jets 3-1 in trial
ROBERT DILLON
JETS coach Ernie Merrick was satisfied with his team's all-round performance despite losing their opening match in the Surf City Cup 3-1 to Brisbane Roar on Sunday.
Brisbane, who also beat Perth Glory 1-0 on Friday night in the pre-season tournament on the Gold Coast, led 2-0 at half-time after goals by Brad Inman and Mirza Muratovic.
Off-season signing Nick Fitzgerald pegged one back for the Jets early in the second half, only for Inman to seal the result with his second goal in the 81stminute.
Merrick said he was "very happy" with what he saw from his team, especially as senior defenders Nigel Boogaard, Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Lachlan Jackson are still unavailable because of injuries.
"We played some really good football, very intense, and given our heavy training schedule, it was a really good conditioning workout for us," Merrick said.
"Credit to Brisbane, they scored three goals to our one, but I was particularly impressed with the way our midfield played.
"Matty Ridenton really ran the show in the middle of midfield ... we probably had more possession in their defensive half and defensive third than they had in ours, and more shots. There were lots of good signs there."
Veteran midfielder Ben Kantarovski received his first game time of the pre-season after returning from a groin strain and provided immediate authority.
Tuesday's clash with Perth will give the Jets another chance to fine-tune before their FFA cup quarter-final in Adelaide on September 17.
I hope Ernie isn't intending to keep ridenton as a realistic midfield leader. I am singularly unimpressed with him since he arrived at the club. He always seems to be the weak link.
But didn't Ernie just say he marshalled the midfield like a true general? (Custer probably...)Quote:
I hope Ernie isn't intending to keep ridenton as a realistic midfield leader.
Ridenton's biggest contribution since arriving has been to our turnover stat.
Depends on Kanta - we will have our front four plus Kanta and Uga in mids - Ridenton then is their back up.
Kanta - lift!
Or the additional CDM to fill Joey's spot, as Ernie mentioned at the Member's forum last week.
Which I don't understand as we have Gus as well and Langois and Johnny can play there as well. FFS we need a LB over anything elseQuote:
Originally Posted by Jeterpool
Its nice to see some regular press coverage during preseason. I thought this guy had a decent game last ffa cup round. Let's hope he keeps it up., gypo or not.. kanta at the back? Hmm, not sure about that one.
Once again from the Herald
A-League: New approach a good Fitz for Jets winger
James Gardiner
Local Sport
NICK Fitzgerald hasn't scored a goal in the A-League in the past two seasons.
Before that, his biggest haul was four, which he collected in consecutive campaigns from season 2015-16.
They are statistics the 27-year-old Jets winger is working overtime to change.
The early signs are encouraging.
Fitzgerald, playing a more direct style, has banked goals in back-to-back games.
The former Olyroo reckoned he "couldn't miss" such was the quality of the cross from Angus Thurgate in the 3-1 loss to Brisbane Roar at the Surf City Cup at the Gold Coast on Sunday.
"Angus brought some energy down the right and whipped in a great cross," Fitzgerald said. "The ball got stuck under my feet and then I was able to poke it home from in the six-yard box. The cross was that good that I couldn't really miss."
His goal in the 5-1 rout of Edgeworth in the FFA Cup was also swept in from well inside the 18-yard box.
These are the type of goals that have been missing from the high-octane attacker's repertoire.
"It is always good to get among the goals and get the confidence up ready for the season," Fitzgerald said ahead of the Jets' clash with Perth at the Croatian Sports Centre on Tuesday night.
"You can't score from outside the box in every game. You have to be getting in the right position. Angus put in a great ball and I was in the right position to capitalise. Near the penalty spot: that is where I hope to score a lot of goals this year. Ernie [Merrick] and assistant coach Clayton Zane have been doing a lot of work with me on making runs into the box.
"My positioning has to be better this year. That is how I will score more goals, not necessarily by scoring from outside the box.
"Dimi Petratos is a great attacking player and Wes Hoolahan has come in as well. There is some great talent in the team, which helps me as well. It's a work in progress but I am happy to get among the goals again and get the confidence up. It will be another good test tomorrow against Perth and we will see how we go."
The battle against last season's A-League Premiers Plate winner is for bragging rights only. The Roar, who beat Perth 1-0 on Friday night, have already secured the inaugural tournament which is being hosted by the Gold Coast Knights.
Ben Kantarovski, who returned from a groin injury off the bench against the Roar, is likely come into the heart of defence in place of Pat Langlois.
"Hopefully we start a bit better against Perth," Fitzgerald said.
"We took it to Brisbane, we were just a bit off in the first half. The travel got to us a little bit. There were some pleasing signs in the second half. Even from 2-0 down we took the game to them and gave it a real crack. The combinations came together.
"We have some key players out as well, which doesn't help. Boogs and Topor have to come back in. They are key figures and leaders.
"Perth were the benchmark last year and with [coach] Tony Popovic still there, they will be a quality team again. It will be another good test to see where we are at and what we need to improve on.
"We have the FFA Cup quarter-final against Adelaide next week. They are obviously a great side as well. We want to progress in the FFA Cup. It is a good opportunity to win a trophy pretty much before the season starts.
"It's always about trying to improve as we get closer to the season."
Nice to wake up to a good news story.
Italiano saves day as Jets beat Perth in shootout to finish Surf City Cup on a high
James Gardiner
Local Sport
KEEPER Lewis Italiano provided the heroics as the Newcastle Jets finished the Surf City Cup on a high, beating Perth Glory 4-3 on penalties after the scores were locked at 1-all at fulltime on Tuesday night at the Croation Sports Ceentre.
Italiano dived low to his left to deny Juande and then sealed the win, saving the fifth attempt by Ivan Franjic.
"Lewis saved a couple of crackers and did really well," Jets coach Ernie Merrick said. "We want Lewis pushing Glen Moss really hard."
Dimi Petratos was the only Jets player to miss from the spot, sending his effort high.
Steve Ugarkovic, Johnny Koutroumbis, Kosta Petratos and Makis Petratos all converted.
The Jets opened the scoring in the 11th minute through Ben Kantarovski. But his goal was cancelled out by a Neil Kilkenny penalty on the stroke of half-time.
"We acquitted ourselves really well and were a bit unlucky not to win in regulation," Merrick said. "We had three one-on-ones with their keeper. Arroyo hit the post with one, Dimi put one over the bar and Jason Hoffman was also right through.
"They had two good chances as well
"I was very impressed with the level of the boys' fitness. Perth virtually changed their whole team, but our lads never stopped pushing."
The Jets were without Kaine Sheppard, Jack Simmons and Angus Thurgate who have been struck by a virus and flew home on Tuesday. Their departure left the Jets with 14 fit players and they gave an opportunity to a youngster from the tournament hosts, Gold Coast Knights, to play off the bench.
The win over last season's A-League premiers followed a 3-1 loss to Brisbane on Sunday.
The Glory, who went down 1-0 to Brisbane in the tournament opener on Friday, fielded an attacking line-up spearheaded by Diego Castro and Bruno Fornaroli.
Kantarovski put the Jets ahead in the 11th minute with a clinical header from a pin-point Dimi Petratos cross.
Nick Fitzgerald nearly doubled the advantage in the 26th minute but his lob was fractionally high.
Joel Chianese went close for the Glory in the 40th minute, forcing a diving save from Italiano.
Four minutes later Perth were on level terms after Italiano brought down Chris Harold in the box and Kilkenny converted from the spot.
The Jets thought they had regained the lead in the 62nd minute when Jason Hoffman tapped in only to have the goal pulled back for off-side.
Two minutes later Abdiel Arroyo was denied by the post and the Panamanian missed another chance in the 69th minute.
I like that we are counting Dimi putting “one over the bar” as chances on goal. Should lead the comp in chances.
This is pretty disturbing.
https://twitter.com/NewcastleJetsFC/...87582420783104
How is this a good news story?Quote:
Originally Posted by Dogshot99
Next thing you know the Jets might be less than trash, people will go to games, beer lines will be longer and we'll have nowt to blow up about on the Foz?
What sort of world do we live in where people aspire to be happy?
I'll be over in the Politics thread if anyone needs me until this wave of optimism subsides.
It is okayQuote:
Originally Posted by plague
We going to do our usual come season arrival
Boogaard is still to come back and you know he will deliver
At least there's less chance of Boogs giving away penalties and red cards this year.. he'll be so slow and so far behind play he won't know be able to attempt any reckless challenges.Quote:
Originally Posted by MFKS
So you're saying we'll be a mathematical chance of making the finals with 2 rounds to play?Quote:
Originally Posted by MFKS
He more likely to take them out early due to lack of speedQuote:
Originally Posted by Frodo
Forever 7thQuote:
Originally Posted by plague
MSN Sport - no salary cap so Shitney can sign Joey to a record deal by the looks:
https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/...id/AAGTdUl.img
https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/foot...tanntp#image=1
Quote:
Originally Posted by turbojetfireV8
Scrap the cap.
Celebrate ACL winners and Minor Premiers as the pinnacle of football in AUS.
Change the finals series to a separate cup.
Work on pro/relegation as soon as we are ready.
FMD, it's not that hard fellas.
That is the football way....unfortunately its not the Strayan way.Quote:
Originally Posted by Frodo