It’s hard to imagine how much more parlous a position the Newcastle Jets could be in, now with high performance manager Ian Crook being appointed the new first-team coach at Norwich City in England and Joel Griffiths, the club’s marquee player and “jewel in the crown”, declaring publicly that he’s interested in joining his brother Ryan at Chinese Super League club Beijing Guoan.
Club owner Con Constantine, fresh from threatening to throw Squadron members off the balcony of his box at EnergyAustralia Stadium, has said Griffiths is not for sale, while Griffiths has rejoindered by suggesting if Constantine doesn’t want to let him go, “we might have to renegotiate my contract”.
Just when it was being hoped last weekend’s win over Perth was the start of something positive for the beleaguered Jets, the portents are getting worse, and they come at the worst possible time: just weeks away from commencing their maiden Asian Champions League campaign.
Already this season the Jets have lost Edmundo Zura, Jade North, Adam Griffiths and James Holland, with Mark Milligan expected to follow. This on top of losing Stuart Musialik, Andrew Durante, Tim Brown, Milton Rodriguez, Vaughan Coveny and Nick Carle in previous seasons.
It would be surprising if the spirits of those players who remain has been unaffected by this disruption – or by coach Gary van Egmond’s eccentric handling of players such as Kaz Patafta, Jesse Pinto and Jesper Hakansson.
Losing Griffiths would be a mortal blow to the Jets, but the greatest damage may be done by the departure of Crook.
There have been whisperings around the traps that Constantine wanted Crook to mastermind the Jets’ ACL campaign, that he was a better identifier of young talent than the coach under him, and Van Egmond himself has said publicly that Crook, with his Japanese experience, was “going to be a huge well of information for us” in Asia.
So now what?
The Jets are looking shot to bits already for the ACL – and they haven’t even kicked a ball in anger.
The only positives from what has been one of the worst seasons of any club in A-League history has been the emergence of Tarek Elrich and Matthew Thompson as Socceroos, the rise of Ben Kantarovski, and the imminent arrival of Socceroos defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley from Perth Glory.
Pretty slim pickings for a club that was the toast of the A-League in seasons two and three. Van Egmond’s reputation has taken a tumble and the previously untouchable Constantine himself is looking more and more vulnerable, with calls from some quarters for him to sell the club.
With Crook now gone and his position vacant, what the Jets need most urgently is someone who can quickly turn their fortunes around and make a decent fist of their shot at glory in the ACL.
I’ve made my views known recently on that score on The World Game and if you can think of a better idea, I’d love to hear it.
As I’m sure Con Constantine would.
His empire is crumbling before his eyes and something has to be done – and now – to stop it.
Koala Bear
Guest
Kazama, yes thanks Kaz, I believe you're right... NSL AU... ~~~~~~~~ KB
Midfielder
Guest
Jes Everywhere he has been Ian Crook has been considered the best coach not being a first grade coach and I wonder how he was given a gig with an A-League team ...
Midfielder
Guest
Pip If we can get a replacement central defensive mid and a couple of decent backs we could give the ACL a shake because we still have Elrich to come back.
Kazama
Roar Guru
KB: "But three straight years Adelaide City and AU, he was in the top two if my aging memory serves me correctly.." Kossie never coached City - you may be thinking of AU's first season, which was the last season of the NSL. In the final NSL season he coached United to third (both in the league and the finals), first A-League season we finished 1st in league, 3rd in finals, and 2nd season we were runners-up in both league and finals to Melbourne.
Koala Bear
Guest
Cpaaa, I shall answer as honestly as I can on SFC.. Firstly disappointed about the season but not frustrated as I am an old fart and lived through so many disappointments.. There is always next year to look forward to.. I never have protested against any of my clubs only shared the disappointment of failure.. From the Roos, SFC, and the Chelsea.. I will write, criticize and analysis, but I will never publicly show my frustration .. Simply not worth the aggro.. No supporter could be more disappointed then the owner, the manager and the players .. They don't have to be told they let the club down... 1) Dwight York leaving .. No wasn't happy, but the club was $7m in debt in its first year; so I understood the financials .. 2) Aloisi, had a fantastic year at CCM but I would not have paid that fee, but he still may come good next year and become the hero.. One thing you can say about Aloisi, he's not a quitter and has the steely determination to prove his detractors wrong.. I have faith in the lad... Many don't, but I will support him while he is our player... 3) Juninho was fantastic when he was fit and played well for the little time he spent on the park. His body was not up to the tough physical stuff of the A-League and imo was a risk to resign for the money he demands.. Where Aloisi a proven European track record was younger and fitter, I thought a good move but paid way too much for his services... 4) I'm going to buck the trend; I think B. Culina overrated himself, so boring as a manager, and he could not lift the club sliding downwards.. Kossie immediately turned it around last year and was unlucky not to take out the premiership in the final game of the season against the Melb Vics.. I rate Kossie much more then B. Culina many would disagree with me .. But three straight years Adelaide City and AU, he was in the top two if my aging memory serves me correctly.. SFC have the best Youth team in the league and 8 kids have come thru the ranks .. They have enormous potential .. What we need is a new European signing, a Milan Ivanovic in his prime to hold the defence together in the back four .. Colosimo to regain his mojo, which he will and the young guns to fire.. Poppa's retirement was a big loss that resulted in the leaky defence... So that's it and I hope it's a good season next year for us ... With ACL asperations .. ;) ~~~~~~~ KB
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Steve will Pinto get a run in the ACL? Re the Mariners - no doubting their reliance on size rather than anything else. But - if they go into a game with Sasho, Simon and Macallister lining up - I reckon quite a few Asian clubs would be thinking: bloody hell!! That might be interesting.
steve
Guest
To the contrary of 99.99% of opinion, I think the Jets will do well in Asia as it will suit their style better than the roughhouse A-league. They have had a very unlucky year. Sure they could have been managed better with player retention and some tactics but the major disappointment has been their domination of games only to concede a goal at the last minute SO MANY TIMES it was ridiculous. The Mariners will struggle to adapt. Their kicking aggressive style will have to be toned down.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
I wonder if Pinto is keen to stay on.
Mick of Newie
Guest
Cpaaa You make a good point about player retention versus recruitment. It has to be easier to keep known quality rather than have to find new ones. I am sure the club can do nothing about Carle, North, Holland, and Joel Griffiths who all went (or will go) overseas for lots more $$. What they will kick themselves about are the players that were lost to other A league clubs for another $20K or $30K. For me the 2 that hurt the most are Musiliak and Adam Griffiths.
Cpaaa
Guest
agree Mick of Newie said it spot on,and i am glad the Con is involved with the A-League, but KB, Sydney fans are hurting as well and i believe would have reacted much worse than upside down banners if they had ended just 2 spots lower. ? as a Sydney fan were you happy with the release of Dwight York? ? as a Sydney fan would you have chosen Aloisi over Juninho ? would you have Kosmina over Branko Culina? it seems administrators know better and the fans have no say. Sydney have lost all its shine and kozzie gets the all clear for next season...i dont get it? administrators/owners can make mistakes (jardel/zura) learn and move on but what they are not doing is holding onto the magic that does work.Milton Rodriguez was a cult figure at NC and Con should have done everything possible to keep him there and now is the saga with Griffths and coaching staff. Sydney FC thats a whole new article in itself but the comparison is the same.
Koala Bear
Guest
Cpaaa, It's not my problem .. I think Mick of Newie, has written a very good post about the whole affair .. I am a SFC supporter we have our own problems .. However, I will be the last ever to blame the owners for the misfortunes of my club as it's their passion they are sharing with me, not a money earner for themselves.. Being an owner of a Football Club can financially bankrupt you.. I can't thank them enough for giving me Football and a club to support; as we all know, if there aren't any owners, there are no clubs to follow, and as sure as I am writing this post I will never put my hard earned dough into any club ownership .. I salute the good owners and pity the poor ones that tried and failed only to lose millions of their own dollars .. ~~~~~~~~~~ KB
Cpaaa
Guest
i still think "the Con" was out of order and the fans have every right to express themselves. KB you are right though, "the Con" should be feeling pretty pissed loosing millions but as a fan its all the same feeling. how does GVE take last place Jets to a Grandfinal and then flush it back to the bottom just in time for the ACL. there are other factors involved as Jess pointed out but at the end of the day someone has to be held accountable and on this occasion the heat has to be on "the Don". with the cracks appearing in GVE perhaps it is time to have a word with this GHOTBI character.
Koala Bear
Guest
Today the FFA confirmed they were aware of the reported confrontation and would be taking it further. Cpaaa, thanks for the link... Well it seems to me it has turned into a Greek Tragedy .. Fortunately it's not the club I support.. However, it will be interesting to read the FFA report when it's released.... ~~~~~~~~~ KB
Mick of Newie
Guest
KB The general consensus is that Dazza's version of events is close to the truth. Yes Con is a drunkard, ego maniac, irrational, dinosaur Chairman, but he is our drunkard, ego maniac, irrational, dinosaur Chairman. For those who say we should get rid of him, find me another multi millionaire in the Hunter who is prepared to lose a lot of money and I will be the first to give the big guy the heave ho. Pipp, Con is in fact an argument as to why we need private ownership in the A League. A community based model suits the AFL because they have a controlled player market and can manage their expenditure. The A league needs private owners with big egos prepared to lose money. Smart ones can make a bit of money some of the time. The less smart lose lots of money all the time. We may not like that but otherwise we will have a glorified State League.
Cpaaa
Guest
KB http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/94343,ffa-probe-jets-boss-flareup.aspx
Koala Bear
Guest
Parrot Hunter, Thanks for that.. re: Nick Tana DazzaJapan, Thank you for your note; is there a link of the reported incident somewhere..? ~~~~~~~~~ KB
DazzaJapan
Guest
first Jesse,thanks for pointing out some valid concerns. Koala bear..the 5 fans were 'summoned' by Con to his box to be lambasted.At no stage did they invade his private property.Con was pissed as a newt (as is his want) and gave them a foul-mouthed tirade from the moment they walked in. He threatened one supporter after he had the temerity to try to explain himself to our dictator-in-chief.
Parrot Hunter
Guest
... that's Nick Tana
Parrot Hunter
Guest
Con has big pockets ... although he tightens them when he wants to. He has about as much football knowledge as GVE. Crook withdrew from many duties with the first team, long before the Norwich job came around, because it was like working "with Abbott and Costello". (CC and GVE) Where's Remo ? Him being one to preside over disasters, I am surprised he is apparently off the scene. Con was offered the Iranian guy and wanted to honour his contract to GVE ... strange after the way he treated Ron Corry, Jean Paul de Marigny and Richard Money. He now has a second chance with the Iranian, or anyone with football knowledge, to reshape the club ... if he pins it all on GVE, the Jets will be floating on the Hudson River (or the Hunter) regularly in the future.
Koala Bear
Guest
Cpaaa, just wait a minute.. I have not read the report about the squadron member on the balcony have you ? .. Was he drunk ? did he climb up onto the balcony and threaten Con ? Is there a police report of what happened..? There are ways to make your voice heard other than to act like a baboon and put life at risk entering an unauthorised area that is restricted only to the immediate owner and his corporate visitors.. I should imagine there would not be a person more disappointed then the "Con" pouring millions of his own dollars into a community club with the disappointing results this year .. Here's a suggestion why doesn't the squadron come up with $6m and buy the club from Con and free him of the financial burden.. As I can't imagine any other poor soul would put up that sort of cash who lives in Newcastle .. You young guys take a lot for granted just because you turn up with a shirt and a flag get pissed and think you own the show... Just remember at this early stage of your club your owner may be the only one you will ever have ... Nick Tanner of Perth Glory gave up in the end as his personal finance was being flushed down the drain .. I can tell ya that gets a bit boring after awhile... Just ask Nick Tanner.. ~~~~~~~~~ KB