Can the Newcastle Jets finally crack a win, or will Carlos Hernandez and his in-form Wellington Phoenix prove an immovable object on the road at Hunter Stadium?
He’s only been in charge for two games, but already things are looking tough for new Jets coach Clayton Zane.
Last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Western Sydney was a vast improvement on Zane’s debut derby defeat, but the rookie coach will be disappointed to be missing suspended spearhead Joel Griffiths for this clash with Wellington.
Griffiths’ crazy post-game dismissal against Western Sydney suggests the fiery striker has lost none of his passion, but it leaves Zane with a selection dilemma against the Phoenix.
English import Emile Heskey is desperate to play, but after suffering back spasms which kept him out last weekend, it may be Nick Ward who gets the nod up front instead.
Fellow new signing David Carney could also start on the bench, with the Jets desperate to turn around a six-game winless streak.
There’s no such concerns for Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick, with the club from the Kiwi capital arguably the form team in the league.
Wellington’s only defeat of late was a 2-1 loss to Brisbane Roar in a game they performed well in a fortnight ago, and the Phoenix will cross the Tasman full of confidence for this clash.
The loss of Costa Rican flyer Kenny Cunningham to suspension is a blow, while Michael Boxall is also suspended and Spanish midfielder Albert Riera looks set to miss almost a month of action through injury.
That hands Merrick a selection headache, with the versatile Vince Lia likely to try and shield the back four from a mobile Newcastle attack.
Form duo
The Hunter Stadium showdown will at least include the involvement of two of the A-League’s form players, as Newcastle’s Adam Taggart attempts to cancel out the influence of Wellington playmaker Hernandez.
Taggart scored twice against Western Sydney last weekend – including a 30-metre thunderbolt – and the young attacking talent has been one of the finds of the season for the Jets.
If the pacy former Perth Glory youngster can find some space behind a rejigged Phoenix backline, Taggart could make his mark on this clash.
That’s something the in-form Hernandez will be also be aiming to do, with the midfield schemer behind much of Wellington’s good form of late.
The Costa Rican international was instrumental in Wellington’s recent 5-0 thrashing of Melbourne Victory and having rattled home four goals so far this season, Hernandez will be looking to add to his tally against the Jets.
Home woes
When owner Nathan Tinkler took charge of the Jets in 2010, it was suggested Hunter Stadium might become something of a fortress for the Jets.
The reality has been somewhat different and Jets fans have to go way back to a November 24 defeat of lowly Melbourne Heart for the last time they tasted home success.
The Jets can ill-afford to lose yet another game in front of their partisan supporters, however the Phoenix are in decent form on the road.
They matched the Roar for long stretches of their recent defeat at Suncorp Stadium, while a 3-1 win over Western Sydney in Parramatta on New Year’s Day means Wellington won’t exactly fear crossing the Tasman for this one.
Predicted result
1-1.
Both teams are eager for a win in order to stay in finals contention, though it’s arguably a more pressing concern for the Jets.
With Wellington missing some important personnel, this one could finish all-square in the Hunter.
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