JETS coach Phil Stubbins is not one to apportion blame to individuals.
While external pressures mount due to the uncertainty over the club’s ownership under Nathan Tinkler, Stubbins is trying to foster a competitive unity in the team.
That is why he believes his No.1 goalkeeper, Mark Birighitti, is under no pressure for his spot leading into Sunday’s clash with Wellington at Westpac Stadium, despite conceding late goals in their opening two A-League games, against the Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne City.
Those goals, scored in injury time and the 87th minute, have cost the Jets a draw against the Mariners and two points against City.
‘‘We don’t point fingers at anyone in the team,’’ Stubbins said. ‘‘If you flip that on the other side, we’ve had opportunities to win the games and we haven’t taken them.
‘‘Rather than blame anyone, I’d say it’s a team effort and regardless of the score we’re all in it together.
‘‘From my perspective I certainly won’t be pointing fingers at anyone and just asking every individual to raise the bar themselves.
‘‘That collectively raises the standards of the team.’’
Birighitti is not alone in being beaten at the near post by a David Villa strike.
The Spanish star is his nation’s greatest goalscorer and has beaten the world’s best glovemen.
‘‘I saw it a little late through a crowd of players, but the disappointing thing being a goalkeeper is I saw it late, got a hand onto it, but just wasn’t strong enough,’’ Birighitti said. ‘‘These things happen and I’ve just got to focus on next week.’’
At Wednesday’s training session the competitive fire in the squad was palpable.
Joel Griffiths and Jonny Steele exchanged heated words and bumped shoulders, David Carney was barking and Zenon Caravella joked afterwards the boys would need shin pads for the next session.
Birighitti has plenty of competition for his position from Ben Kennedy.
After starting the opening 23 rounds of last season, Birighitti was usurped for the final four matches by Kennedy.
After the first off-season under Stubbins, Birighitti was reinstalled as No.1 keeper.
‘‘That’s what you want in a training session – lots of people fighting for spots,’’ Birighitti said. ‘‘That’s the beauty of the game. You want to be fighting for your position and have nothing come easy.
‘‘It was there last year, but not as much as this year.
‘‘It’s one thing the gaffer has implemented in the playing group is that hunger to win your individual battle, and it showed out there, and we need to take that into games as well.’’
Originally Posted by zorse
