Newcastle Jets and Melbourne Heart will finish off what has been an exciting A-League round at Hunter Stadium today at 5.00pm AEDT. The Roar will have live scores and commentary throughout the 90 minutes.
The issues
One side is flagging, whilst the other is steadily rising.
Gary van Egmond’s team has scored some impressive results against Central Coast, Adelaide and Brisbane over the past month, but consistency is needed from them if they are going to challenge and defeat the top sides.
Melbourne Heart have an air of crisis about them as pressure on John Aloisi mounts from dissatisfied fans.
The ins and outs
Both sides have named extended squads for this crucial match, with two to be omitted on gameday.
Connor Chapman and Kew Jaliens are all unavailable due to injury and suspension, while Taylor Regan, James Brown and Sam Gallaway are included in the squad.
Melbourne Heart announced Harry Kewell will again miss, while Patrick Kisnorbo and Andrea Migliorini will come back in to this squad after the missing most of this month with injury.
The players to watch
Jets
Adam Taggart: He was the difference maker last week with a brace against the Roar last weekend, bring up his third goal of the season.
He is an undeniable talent in front of goal, and can give the Heart defence some trouble today.
Heart
Michael Mifsud: Needs better service, but needs to take his chances better.
The Heart have only scored two goals this season, and the ‘Maltese Messi’ needs to help change that.
The Game
The Heart’s slow, dull and lifeless performance last week doesn’t bode well at all this week, this alone should see the Jets as clear favourites for today.
Van Egmond looks like he finally has found a way to get the results by playing to the strengths of what he has in the squad, with Newcastle playing much quicker than what they have been earlier this season.
Melbourne Heart can’t afford to be lethargic or slow, and will have to attack immediately.
The game will likely see matching 4-3-3s, Heart can’t afford to be pushed back to their penalty area. Keeping a clean sheet is also vital for the red and white.
Justin Thighm
Roar Guru
Have you only watched one A-League game this season? Taggart is playing consistently well and actually leads the A-League Golden Boot award for most goals. Yeboah has come on as a substitute and scored the decisive goal twice in the last 3 weeks. Very exciting prospects eric and should be groomed for the Socceroos.
Stevo
Guest
It's not over the top to say that JA finds himself in serious professional difficulty ATM. Calls for his head will grow this week and it will be interesting to see how fans express themselves next Sunday. Expect more bedsheets around the stadium with the words 'Aloisi OUT'. And that's an expression about caring for the club not just sitting around and watching things deteriorate.
eric
Guest
Not after only one good game he wouldn't.
Justin Thighm
Roar Guru
Speaking of drawing board, the Heart board has some serious deliberations ahead of them this week. Aloisi of course and maybe take the $9M buy out offer and run. I really can't see Heart doing anything this season no matter who trains them.
Justin Thighm
Roar Guru
This weekend I saw two really exciting young strikers that should be given a chance to thrive in the Socceroos or Young Socceroos environment - Yeboah and Taggart. Wow! Gus Hiddink would take at least one of them to Brazil with him.
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
This certainly picked up in the second half, Jets deserved to win. Back to the drawing board for the Heart, still not convinced by the Jets although the results have been very good. Thanks to all who joined the chat, let's continue it on Twitter @katielambeski. It's been fun. Until next time!
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
Full-time: Newcastle Jets 3-1 Melbourne Heart
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
90+1' NJ 3-1: 3 minutes time added on.
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
89' NJ 3-1: Neville remonstrates with Ramsay over a bad challenge, handbags, handbags everywhere.
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
88' NJ 3-1: Retre ON, Migliorini OFF.
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
87' NJ 3-1: Goodwin ON, Burns OFF.
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
86' NJ 3-1: Jets have come close over the last couple minutes, but no cigar.
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
84' NJ 3-1: Game meandering along, game over.
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
83' NJ 3-1: Kisnorbo escapes a yellow after a very cynical foul.
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
81' NJ 3-1: Brown ON, Taggart OFF. Gets a standing ovation, well deserved.
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
80', NJ 3-1: Behich OFF, Mauk ON
The Auteur
Guest
Can Adam Taggart get a fourth?
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
77' NJ 3-1: Burns beats Behich and runs through to goal, shot smashed over the bar.
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
76' NJ 3-1: Newcastle come close again, Burns cross against the face of goal just misses a target.
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
73' NJ 3-1: Mifsud has come on with a point to prove, harrying defenders and making his presence felt.