Winning breeds confidence and the first win of a new season is always a crucial breakthrough.
Winning breeds confidence and the first win of a new season is always a crucial breakthrough.
To keep a clean sheet in the process also adds plenty of value to the outcome so to come away with a 1-0 victory over a much-improved Adelaide United at Bluetongue Stadium last Saturday night was a huge step in the right direction looking forward.
Midfielder Nick Fitzgerald, one of the standouts of the pre-season, scored early and was a constant menace to Adelaide-s defensive structure.
That we then went on to create enough chances to win two or three games of football while also giving goalkeeper Justin Pasfield his quietest outing of the season thus far – he didn-t have a save to make in 90 minutes – speaks volumes for our own defensive structure.
As I-ve said many times before that defensive structure is the cornerstone of our success and we will back ourselves against anyone to win a game on the back of a clean sheet.
Graham Arnold-s mantra of “Fortress Bluetongue” always sends the players out into battle in a determined mood to protect our home ground record that is fast turning into the best in the A-League-s history.
The result has set us up for our best start to a season since ‘Arnie- took charge in terms of points and performance but no one is sitting back relaxing as we know we have a lot of improvement in us.
Historically we have built our way into the season and this campaign is no different.
We are building a good, solid platform and our fans are playing a major role in that!
While the numbers – just over 9,000 – were a little disappointing last weekend, the atmosphere created by those in the stands was very encouraging and no doubt helped get the team over the line despite the chances we missed (give us missed chances over no chances any day of the week!).
The interaction between the crowd behind the goal and down the sides of the pitch coupled with the brass band doesn-t go unnoticed from down on the pitch.
It was a perfect lead-in to a big local derby with Newcastle this weekend and while we are away from home we know our fans will give as good as they get at Hunter Stadium.
With A-League derbies now creating unprecedented interest throughout Australia-s mainstream sporting landscape – the Sydney derby last weekend and the Melbourne derby from week one both a case in point – it-s our turn to show the country that the Central Coast-Newcastle clash is the original and most historical of the lot!
Having said that it-s been business as usual on the training pitch this week with the players putting in a great week of preparation under ‘Arnie- and the staff.
Big striker Daniel McBreen has returned to the fold after his loan spell in China ended last weekend and competition for places is at an all-time high.
It augurs well for tomorrow night and the coming weeks! Kick-off at Hunter Stadium is 7.45pm. See you there.
Newcastle Jets vs. Central Coast Mariners – Hyundai A-League 2013/14 Round 4
Saturday 2 November, 2013
Hunter Stadium, Broadmeadow
Kick-off: 7:45pm (local)
Tickets: Please CLICK HERE to purchase tickets to the match.
Transport: Please CLICK HERE to book a return Coastal Liner transport ticket to/from Hunter Stadium.
Twitter: Join the match conversation on Twitter! The official match hash-tag is #F3Derby
Watch: Live on Fox Sports 1 & 1HD
Listen: Live on ABC Grandstand and Coast FM
