Every year I wish we could sign nobodies like FFA Cup/A-League (not mickey mouse finals football)/Champions League winners like we have done. What a glorious bunch of nobodies.
Every year I wish we could sign nobodies like FFA Cup/A-League (not mickey mouse finals football)/Champions League winners like we have done. What a glorious bunch of nobodies.
Cap restrictions and the length and size of contracts for some who remain have no doubt played their part in limiting the improvements we could make in the playing squad.
No doubt this season is as much about erasing memories of past limp performances as it is about setting up the squad and the contracts of the squad so that things can be built on again next year - id be surprised if there isn't another big clean out at the end of this coming season.
Big picture means this season is not about making the finals - miller has only ever said we "aim" to make the finals, or that we will "train and prepare" like a finals quality side. He's been very careful not to guaranetee anything other than making the team one we can be proud of. and others have said, if we come 9th, play with ticker, and beat the coasties, Ill be happy.
if the squad this season doesn't change much for next season, I'd be worried.
We are still hamstrung by the remnants of the squad that was put together by Baartz, Middleby and Palmer.
And the intent seems to be there. I think the squad last year on paper was very good, obviously it didn't perform, but I put that down to the work environment that the club had created with Tinkler and Stubbins.
I don't see the squad at the start of this year as any worse than that this time last season, but the coaching seems a lot more positive and focused. That will be the big change for us.
We can't forget that despite a heap of places being available, there wasn't a lot of space under the cap to use, and FFA aren't throwing money at marquees. Id expect more change next season as contracts come to an end.
All that said though, I am positive about this season. Will we win it....I doubt it, but I think we will see more from the team and club.
This is the squad for the Roar game...
Newcastle Jets squad vs. Brisbane Roar (Friendly): 1. Mark Birighitti (Gk), 2. Daniel Mullen, 3. Jason Hoffman, 4. Nigel Boogaard, 5. Ben Kantarovski, 6. Cameron Watson, 7. Enver Alivodic, 8. Mateo Poljak, 10. Leonardo, 11. Labinot Haliti, 13. Lee Ki-je, 14. Mitch Cooper, 22. Lachlan Jackson, 23. David Carney, 25. Brandon Lundy, 30. Blake Tuxford (Gk) (T)
http://www.newcastlejets.com.au/arti...s1p2e9de9wxbam
Stubbins also can be blamed for our current situation too, in the second half of last season he upgraded BK's contract, extended Mullens and Leaky Gee's and enticed Boogaard here, all of them I believe on big coin now, with these four plus Carney taking up $1million of the cap.....since the cap is I believe only $2.4million, that's only 5 players taking up 42%!!! Meaning the club somehow has to fit another 17 or 18 players under $1.4million.