Tough A-League start bothers Griffiths

Joel Griffiths is starting to hate football. A ten-game winless start to the season will do that to you.

The veteran Newcastle United marksman said his side’s poor start to the season had affected his enjoyment of the game so deeply that he even has trouble watching other A-League games.

“It hurts (losing) and it just makes me hate football,” he said at the Jack Newton Celebrity Classic golf tournament in the Hunter Valley.

“This year in particular, I don’t even watch any of the other A-League games, because I get too pissed off.

“When the game comes on Friday night, I just try to go in with an attitude that we’re going to win the game.

“We’ve had that attitude for the last nine weeks but we can’t put it in play.”

He said he still believed Newcastle’s first win was just around the corner and he could see them turning their season around with a little luck.

“We’re just trying to keep everyone positive,” the 35 year-old said.

“We’re not travelling great at the moment and a lot of people are taking the piss out of us.

“We just have to overcome all of that and block that out and just try to put on a good performance that people are proud of as fans.”

Former Socceroo and Jets defender David Carney said he rated Adelaide the form team of the competition.

The Jets will go into the game without captain Kew Jaliens, after he was red-carded during their 2-0 loss to Perth last week, but Carney maintained they were capable of beating any side on their day.

“(Adelaide) are probably playing the best in the league at the moment,” Carney said.

“They’re playing attractive football and they play with purpose and kick the football well.

“It’s going to be a tough game especially with Kew being sent off and we’re going to miss him.

“But it’s an opportunity for a young player to come in and prove himself. It’s a hard game for us but these are the games you want to play in, especially if you’re one of the young boys.”