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Rocky fan Phil Stubbins has backed his Newcastle team to punch their way up the A-League table after Friday’s shock 2-1 win over Adelaide United.
A late Jeronimo Neumann strike sealed a first three points of the season for the Jets, at the 11th time of asking, to ease the pressure on Stubbins.
The Jets had not tasted victory since last April, also against Adelaide, and faced a side full of confidence after Tuesday’s FFA Cup final win over Perth.
However, Stubbins, who opted for a new 5-3-2 formation to combat the pace out from Josep Gombau’s side, said he went into the game confident of success.
“I was flicking through TV last night and I ended up watching the Rocky Balboa movie,” Stubbins said.
“And I thought to myself, I’ve got a good feeling about this game.
“We’ve been waiting for this a long time, but this is as good a feeling that I’ve had in the game.”
The Englishman has had his back to the wall since taking over at the Jets with the club up for sale and owner Nathan Tinkler refusing to put any extra funds into the club.
Club CEO Robbie Middleby has been in negotiations with parties in the UK and Asia about potentially taking over the club but nothing has come to fruition.
But despite having no money to spend and a limited squad, Stubbins had nothing but praise for his players and the club’s staff.
“My credit goes out to the people who have been supportive of the group – the people behind the scenes and the playing group who were magnificent to a man.
“They embraced the gameplan and I am thrilled for everybody. I am absolutely elated.”
The win moves the Jets four points clear of cellar-dwelling Western Sydney, who become the only A-League team without a win.
Stubbins’ side take on a red-hot Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park next Saturday and the coach warned his players not to get too far ahead of themselves by the Adelaide win, with striker Edson Montano, who had his best game for the club on Friday, likely to be out with a calf injury.
“It’s one win, but what a win, but we can’t get carried away,” he said.
“We are only at the first stages of becoming a powerhouse in this league.
“All we can do is take one week at a time. Edson is going to be out and that is another setback that we are going to have to deal with.”
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