Last season was embarrassing for Newcastle Jets fans.
Nathan Tinkler dragged the club through his dirty deeds and the FFA stood off for too long. On the field the players revolted under the coaching of Phil Stubbins, who never looked like he was ready for the job.
The club has now been given a much needed makeover, with Tinkler out and new owners reportedly arriving sometime during the next six months. A local flavour has returned in Nigel Boogaard (who was impressive with Adelaide last season) and Jason Hoffman, while experience has been added or retained with Mateo Poljak and David Carney.
New coach Scott Miller arrives at the age of just 34, but he has more than eight years experience learning his trade under big managerial names at Fulham in England. He faces a tough test in the Hunter, though.
The Jets conceded 55 and only scored 17 goals last season, the worst figures in both stat columns. They won just three games and were humiliated on more than one occasion. Miller faces a big task turning around the mood in Newcastle, both among the playing squad and the fans.
Strengths
The Newcastle Jets are under little pressure to make the finals, and that could help them get back to basics and start enjoying their football again. This is a rebuilding year after the disastrous Tinkler era, a chance to regain some pride.
A positive manager, improving morale and nice mixture of youth and experience could result in a winning formula. This club has missed the finals for far too long – five seasons – and it would mean a lot to the city if they snuck into sixth.
Weaknesses
Unfortunately the Jets face an arduous start to the 2015-16 campaign, playing Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC, Melbourne City and Wellington Phoenix in their first four matches. If they make a poor start, it could be hard to claw back any kind of momentum from the pre-season.
The continued unstable environment – with a takeover imminent according to FFA – is not going to be helpful either. That said, every player and staff member will want to impress so when the new owners arrive they still have a job.
On the pitch, the Jets are severely lacking forward talent, and much depends on how Serbian Milos Trifunovic adapts to the A-League.
Big question: Is Scott Miller ready for a full-time gig?
John Aloisi is a prime example of a young coach thrown into management far too soon, however Miller arrives in completely different circumstances. His apprenticeship at Fulham means he has a ridiculous amount of experience for a 34-year-old. He could surprise a lot of people.
Miller’s enthusiasm and ability to unite what was a broken squad has been impressive, and while confidence does not translate into results, a content and united dressing room does. Predecessor Stubbins’ greatest weakness was man-management, Miller should be the exact opposite.
The capture of Jean Paul de Marigny from Melbourne Victory is also a massive coup, and the assistant should ensure Miller has the required support to ease into the role. The mixture of experience and youth could prove a winner.
The Jets’ future looks bright after a tough season. (Photo: AAP)
Key man: Leonardo
The Brazilian arrives in Newcastle looking surprisingly trim and fit, impressive considering his last appearance came in November last year. Leonardo was 1860 Munich’s brightest creative outlet at the start of th 2014-15 2. Bundesliga season, but when coach Ricardo Moniz was sacked the 32-year-old was also shunned from the squad.
It was a confusing move, and one which must have shaken Leonardo, because he travelled back to the Netherlands and took a hiatus from the game. Now returning to football, and living in the idyllic surrounds of the Hunter Valley, Leonardo has a chance to shine.
The Jets have had terrible luck with foreign imports, but Miller may have recruited a gem in Leonardo.
Youngster to watch: Mitch Cooper
One of the unluckiest players in the A-League, Cooper has never had a chance to show his true value. His unfortunate claim to fame is captaining Gold Coast United at the age of 17 under the orders of Clive Palmer.
However his rise was cruelly curtailed, first with an anterior cruciate ligament rupture to his right knee, and then nine months later with another rupture to his left knee. Cooper appeared in 16 games for the Jets towards the end of last season, enough to earn him a two-year deal.
With a full pre-season completed Cooper could finally deliver for the Jets.
Position last season: 10th
It was a disaster, three wins and turmoil off the field says it all. A low point for the club.
Prediction: Just missing finals
It all looks good off the field again in Newcastle but it will be a season of rebuilding for the club. Miller should be given a chance to get things right. A charge for the finals is possible, this team has potential to surprise, but they will likely miss out.
First five fixtures
Wellington Phoenix (A), Sydney FC (H), Melbourne Victory (H), Melbourne City (A), Western Sydney (H).
Possible line-up (4-2-3-1)
Trifunovic
Carney, Leonardo, Alivodic
Poljak, Watson
Lee, Boogaard, Mullen, Hoffman
Birighitti
Ins
Themba Muata-Marlow (Sydney FC), Andy Brennan (South Melbourne), Nigel Boogaard (Adelaide), Mark Birighitti (AS Varese – loan return), Lachlan Jackson (Brisbane Roar), Jason Hoffman (Melbourne City), Mateo Poljak (Western Sydney Wanderers), Labinot Haliti (Western Sydney Wanderers), Cameron Watson (Adelaide United), Leonardo Vitor Santiago (free), Milos Trifunovic (free).
Outs
Scott Neville (Wanderers), Jacob Pepper (Wanderers), John Solari (released), Sam Gallagher (released), James Virgili (released), Taylor Regan (released), Jess Vanstrattan (released), Zenon Caravella (released), Andrew Hoole (Sydney FC), Travis Cooper (released).
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