Marcos Flores, David Carney boost Jets
By JAMES GARDINER
Sept. 28, 2014, 11:30 p.m

MARCOS Flores produced some flashes of quality and got through 45 energetic minutes, but Jets coach Phil Stubbins plans to play a waiting game with the Argentinian playmaker.

Starting in his preferred role behind the striker, Flores helped set the Jets on their way to a 2-1 win over the Young Socceroos in Gosford on Saturday.

The game against the national under-20s was the Jets’ final competitive hitout before they open the A-League season against the Central Coast Mariners in Gosford on October 11.

It was Flores’s first start and third appearance overall since reconstructive surgery on his knee in January.

To date his longest shift has been 45 minutes.

‘‘It was a test for us to see what he was like from the start,’’ Stubbins said. ‘‘We all know he is not at his best yet, but he showed some flashes.

‘‘He is able to link between the back and the front, and his creativity is something that is very good. There will be no pressure to rush Marcos. If he is ready, he will play.’’

Injuries have hindered the Jets’ preparations.

Ben Kantarovski (knee), Billy Celeski (groin) and Mitch Cooper (knee) have been ruled out of round one and Stubbins said he was yet settle on a side.

‘‘There are six or seven players we have pencilled in, simply because they have the cohesion of playing together in the past three or four games,’’ he said.

One certainty is David Carney at left back. The former Socceroo was a standout and helped lay on both goals against the Young Socceroos.

He burst down the left and cut a ball back for Jacob Pepper to drive home from the edge of the box in the 18th minute.

Seven minutes later, he chipped over the top of the defence for Jeronimo to collect and finish coolly.

‘‘When a pass needs to be made he has the quality to execute it in the right way,’’ Stubbins said.

‘‘He did a great job on the left-hand side linking with Jonny Steele.’’

The make-up of the defence appears settled.

Sam Gallagher has the jump on Adrian Madaschi (calf) at left stopper, with Kew Jaliens and Scott Neville completing the back four.

Makeshift pair Taylor Regan and Jacob Pepper will start in midfield.

Up front, Steele will play at left wing, but the other places are up for grabs.

Jeronimo, Joel Griffiths and Ecuadorean Edson Montano have been used in varying roles. James Virgili is also in contention for right wing.

‘‘We will see which combination works,’’ Stubbins said. ‘‘On Saturday we put out a combination which seemed to work.’’

Overall Stubbins was happy with the performance.

‘‘It is always good to win the last game before you kick off the season and get some confidence around the camp. Not only did we get a result, we played in a much better fashion.’’

Former Leicester youth team captain Robert Paratore played the final 15 minutes.

‘‘Robert acquitted himself well, but I think he needs a bit of time before he is ready to go as a regular first-team A-League player,’’ Stubbins said. ‘‘There are a couple of players we have spoken to. It is a bit different in how we have gone about creating an avenue to bring them to the club. Hopefully that bears fruit in the next 48 hours.’’

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/2589944/flores-carney-boost-jets/?cs=306
Looks like you're in the minority furns, Carney easily our best option at left back.

Interesting at the end too... my guess would be that its a visa player, but that could only be for 10 games as a guest, might be long enough to get us to the January transfer window / injuries back on deck.