After the most tumultuous two weeks in the club's history, Newcastle Jets returns to A-League action on Friday against Brisbane Roar.
The Jets will be fielding a new-look side and under-fire head coach Phil Stubbins insists he's still the right man for the job.
Reigning premier Brisbane was a 4-0 winner at Hunter Stadium earlier this season with Brazilian striker Henrique bagging a hat-trick.
Eight of the players that featured in the Jets side that day have since departed with four of Stubbins' backroom staff also exiting the club in the wake of the 7-0 defeat by Adelaide a fortnight ago.
To make matters worse, owner Nathan Tinkler was served with a show-cause notice this week after failing to meet a Football Federation Australia (FFA) deadline to pay debts of $500,000.
FFA chief David Gallop has warned the mining magnate that, unless he gets his house in order, the game's governing body is ready to step in and take over if he fails to clear those debts and appoint a CEO - a position that's still vacant after Robbie Middleby quit just after Christmas.
It's hardly the best preparation for a game but Stubbins maintains he has what it takes to motivate a side that will be skippered by local product Taylor Regan following Kew Jaliens' and Joel Griffiths' sackings last week.
It's understood the armband was originally offered to midfield duo Ben Kantarovski and Zenon Caravella but the pair refused out of respect to their axed teammates.
"We have certainly had some things that could have gone the other way and worked out in a better light for the club and myself," Stubbins told reporters this week.
"We made some bold decisions and we are moving forward. In terms of a timeframe, I would say give me until this time next year."
Jeronimo Neumann became the 10th player to part ways with the Jets this season on Wednesday after his contract was mutually terminated.
The Brazilian striker's departure follows that of Billy Celeski, David Carney, Adrian Madaschi, Marcos Flores and Jonny Steele, who were all signed by Stubbins.
The coach admits his recruitment could have been better:
"There are players there in the five that I had something to do with signing," Stubbins said.
"Sometimes you don't get it right. I put my hand up there. It got to a point where we decided to move in a different way.
"Perhaps the service we have hoped for from some of those players wasn't to the level we had hoped."
New signings Daniel Mullen and Travis Cooper are expected to feature against Brisbane, with youngsters Mitch Cooper and Nick Cowburn in line to make their debuts after being promoted from the youth team.
Korean left back Lee Ki-je is unlikely to play, with the club still waiting for his work visa to be approved.
THE REVOLVING DOOR AT THE NEWCASTLE JETS SINCE DECEMBER
Outs:
Robbie Middleby CEO - resigned
Ray Baartz Chairman - resigned
Marcos Flores midfielder - released to Jacksonville Armada
Johnny Steele striker - released
Sam Gallaway defender - released to Western Sydney
Mark Birighitti GK - loaned to AS Varese (Italy)
Kew Jaliens defender - sacked
Joel Griffiths striker - sacked
Billy Celeski defender - sacked
David Carney midfielder - sacked
Adrian Madaschi defender - sacked
Jeronimo Neumann striker - released
Clayton Zane assistant coach - sacked
Neil Young goalkeeping coach - sacked
Andrew Packer strength and conditioning coach - sacked.
Michael Bridges youth team coach - resigned
Ins:
Jess Vanstrattan goalkeeper/coach - Central Coast Mariners youth
Travis Cooper midfielder - VVV Venlo (Holland)
Daniel Mullen defender - Western Sydney Wanderers
Lee Ki-Je defender - Shimizu S-Pulse (Japan)
Mark Jones strength and conditioning coach
