With the start of the 2012/2013 A-League season approaching, many fans will be wondering how their team will fare. Today, we will take a look at the off-season recruiting of the Newcastle Jets and what fans might be able to expect for the season.
Rewind the clock to 20th October 2011, where the Jets appointed the only manager to take them to the Premier’s plate, Gary Van Egmond. The former AIS coach, who was thrusted into the coaching job just before round three of the inaugural season, inherited a largely ageing Newcastle Jets squad that never looked like contenders for the Premier’s plate, let alone the finals series.
Despite all the off-field dramas and the uncertainty surrounding the future of the club, they continued to act by bringing in new players that could give the Newcastle Jets’ faithful a future to get excited about.
Van Egmond obviously knew he needed to freshen up his squad with some much needed youth and it was obvious that his connections with his previous employer, the AIS, have paid off.
The first arrival was Adelaide United goalkeeper Mark Birighitti. The talented young shot-stopper, originally from Perth, was back up for Adelaide number one Eugene Galekovic. He is likely to gain more game time and experience with the Jets but will have to contest with current number one Ben Kennedy.
Two players that have left the Jets are wing backs Tarek Elrich and Byun Sung-Hwan. The Jets moved swiftly in signing their replacements Scott Neville from Perth Glory and Craig Goodwin from Melbourne Heart. Both players can press quite high up the pitch and will add a much needed energetic spark down the flanks for the Jets.
Also following Neville from Perth Glory are his two team mates Josh Mitchell and Adam Taggart. Locally raised Mitchell will provide strong depth and good experience alongside Tiago Calvano in the centre of defence, while young Adam Taggart will excite fans with his youthful exuberance upfront.
Former Switzerland youth international Dominik Ritter arrives and will look to make a name for himself among Jets fans. Ritter, who came through the youth system at FC Basel will look to gain regular football after not experiencing much during his short career.
While the Newcastle Jets remained in the A-League, one club not so fortunate was Gold Coast United. With the folding of the much troubled club, the Jets saw the opportunity to snap up three of its most promising players in Josh Brillante, Mitch Cooper and James Brown.
All played a number of games for the Gold Coast, but it is the signing of Brown that will most excite fans. Brown lit up the A-League last season with some spectacular goals and is seen as a potential player for the Socceroos in the future. The young attacking midfielder will look to fill the gap left by Jeremy Brockie who returned home to the Wellington Phoenix. Expect some spectacular goals from the young player in the coming years.
While it is hard to not get hopes up when it comes a new season beginning, it has to be said that realistically the Jets might not be in contention for the Premier’s plate this season. But, in the coming seasons after that when the young squad has settled into their new environment, you can expect the Jets do a lot of damage on the pitch.
The Jets are taking off.
Midfielder
Guest
The F3 derby should be great this year ....
Bondy
Guest
I think the Jets have recruited qiute well Brown being the major snare,I think a fourth ot fifth place finish will be about right for them this season I cant see them missing the finals, the two Sydney clubs will struggle this season. I'm looking forward to the F me derby.
Punter
Guest
Now I would drive up from Sydney every other week to watch Riquelme, he is one special but high maintenance player. However, the word is that they are after a marquee no 9, including old fans favorite, Joel Griffiths, who must be down the pecking order behind Droba & Anelka at his Chinese club.
phutbol
Guest
Jason Culina is available...
Joshua Wells
Roar Rookie
I would love to see the Jets take off to be honest, their fans are pretty loyal and it would be a reward for them.
wisey_9
Roar Guru
There are plenty of marquee's available on the market if HSG do decide to spend their cash. Muangthong United are rumored to be in the running for Louis Saha's signature - if that's true, then the Jets must also consider themselves a chance. Michael Owen is also still looking for a club - which would appeal to the large number of Liverpool fans here in Oz. Personally though, I'd like Tinkler to go out and get Juan Román Riquelme. He is without a contract at the moment, and would be able to bring a level of class to the HAL that hasn't been seen before. Imagine all of the Jets youngsters learning off the great Juan Román! One can only dream huh?
Griffo
Roar Guru
Listened to the Jets fan podcast last week in which they interviewed GVE. On the question of marquee signing GVE, in referring to earlier comments on a players mentality on and off the pitch, mentioned liking players that 'question' everything so as to add to the discussion (but obviously not being disruptive to the team). On asking about Flores, GVE in a round-a-bout way wasn't considering Flores without actually saying so, referring again to the 'questioning' side of a players mentality that he likes, even though he rated Flores but not sure if he would fit what he was trying to build at the Jets. It wouldn't surprise me if we don't get a marquee, but if we do (the No. 10 role is targeted), it will be very interesting to see who it is ;-)
Griffo
Roar Guru
Some footage has been made available of the Jets recent trial match against a Canberra select squad: Canberra Rockets v Newcastle Jets, Challenge Match 2012 from Adam Grant on Vimeo. Early pre-season but James Brown is looking good at No. 7
Tom Logan
Roar Rookie
Agreed, Neville was always lively for the Glory down the right side and Goodwin surprised everyone when he came onto the scene when he played against Melbourne Victory in round 19 of last season. Looks promising.
nordster
Guest
Van egmond has a full lead in this time, their team is stacked with some good depth in youth talent. They look good. Could use a few more locals coming thru from the nbn league, i guess that'll take more time. Still there is competition in a lot more positions for them this season.
Kasey
Guest
Its funny you should say that, in a lot of the communication between the club and the fans that has been reproduced on 442Forums, oblique reference is frequently made to a marquee signinng being in the sights of the HSG for the Jets. If this is true, they are kind of leaving it to the last minute to extract the most out of it publicity wise to energize the support base into buying more memberships, but as BNE have shown, having a marquee is not a requirement for playing sexy football that is winning and attracts the punters.
Titus
Guest
I agree with your last line. The team will be exciting to watch but I doubt they will be amongst the silverware this season. Building for the future though and the potential to make some good transfer sales.
Stefanov
Roar Pro
Good read. The squad will be one of the most exciting in the A-League for sure, some of the best young talent. As a Heart supporter the loss of Craig Goodwin will be felt, he looked a sensational player. Just curious as to whether Tinkler will make one last big dollar purchase for the Jets before the season starts...hmmm
Kasey
Guest
All they have to do to get off to a better start than last season is to complete a full pre-season and not sack their coach at the HAL season Launch. It has been good to see the people of the Hunter appearing to reconcile with their football team(going by their impressive membership campaign…5k plus at last count aiming for 12k IIRC) after Tinkler’s dummy spit earlier this year. I've often been impressed by the teams fielded by Dutchy van Egmond, I don't doubt I will be again this season.
cliffclavin
Guest
i like the look of the squad, in particular the signing of Neville - easily one of the most underated players in the league, mostly due to injury hitting him just when he gets a good run of form. Also, i think Goodwin might be a bit of a suprise if given more time this season.