Ernie Merrick is playing down Newcastle’s unlikely A-League title credentials despite very nearly dismantling Sydney FC.
A youthful Jets side offered up a thrilling blueprint of how to beat the reigning champions on their own turf on Wednesday, disrupting Sydney’s game and very nearly leaving Allianz Stadium with all three points.
Had Bobo not scored a 2-2 equaliser in the 87th minute, last season’s wooden-spooners would have closed the gap between themselves and the leaders back to five points.
An eight-point deficit remains but the Jets, despite missing more than half their regular starters, are closer to the far more seasoned Sky Blues on some fronts than perhaps Graham Arnold would like to admit.
Halfway through the season, second-placed Newcastle have eight wins to Sydney’s 11 and scored 32 goals to Sydney’s 35.
Third-placed Melbourne Victory have the next-highest goal count with 18 and sit eight points adrift, albeit with a game in hand.
But Merrick was still not willing to say his side were Sydney’s closest title challengers.
“I wouldn’t jump that far ahead,” Merrick said.
“I’m just pretty happy to come here and get a point because they’re a good team.
“We’ll be in the finals, and we’ll be aiming to get to our best football in the finals, get our best team out, and have a little bit more depth.
“If you’d have said to me pre-season that 13 games in it’d be one and two in a big clash in Sydney and we’d be number two, and we’d scored 30 goals, I’d have taken that.
“I didn’t think we’d do it, but we’ve done it. And we’ve done it without (Ronny) Vargas and (Roy) O’Donovan.”
Merrick predicted he had six first-team players to slot back in, including new signings Riley McGree and Argentine Patricio Rodriguez.
Rodriguez arrived in Newcastle on Wednesday and, pending a medical on Thursday, will be available to play next Tuesday at home to Central Coast.
Part of the Jets’ ability to defy expectations this season has been their unwillingness to park the bus in the face of daunting challenges, even when their coach himself did not expect a result.
“With that many inexperienced players in the team against a formidable opponent away from home, I honestly thought we wouldn’t win the game,” Merrick said.
“My attitude was ‘we’ve lost the game anyway, so let’s see if we can score a few goals and just make it a little bit difficult for them, and at the same time learn to play our game plan under pressure’.
“But don’t become a defensive unit that just attacks occasionally … I refuse to go back to a defensive-type set-up.”
At work
Roar Rookie
Grob I don't know what is and isn't classed good or bad for a midweek game, but something tells me 40k isn't great... You know you're insinuating that the rating was poor, or just doing your usual by comparing A League to a kids show or a dated English comedy. I know BBL ratings are down, but by highlighting their figure it's just another boot into football, so well done on achieving your goal
Grobbelaar
Roar Guru
At work I didn't describe the ratings as poor. At this time of year, with people on holidays, any rating on Fox above 40k should be viewed as a reasonable rating, although granted this may well have been the match of the season to date. I note that the BBL ratings were also well down on the night, being a mere 722k. I think these are testing times for all sports.
punter
Guest
Like I said Redondo above, we all have opinions. I agree he is not perfect but he trains hard, works hard, doesn't drink, he doesn't take drugs, shoots at journalists, has scandalous off field activities & on the field he only has Messi as an equal, or in your opinion just behind, no issues with that, still a very very high standard. He wants to win & wants to be the best & shows it on the field & some take that as being a w..ker, but I see that as being able to match with it a more technically gifted player in Messi.
Redondo
Guest
It's true what you say Punter - Ronaldo's teammates seem not to mind him. And he can play. But he is a total w...ker.
At work
Roar Rookie
That’s better Grob
Griffo
Roar Guru
No problem...sorry for the predictive text typos. What happens when I type quick on the go without checking ;-)
punter
Guest
Never seen Boogard, NTS & Hoffman do the same, you aint watching Jets games. Wayne Brown's tackle on Buijs was late, dangerous & possible last man & no card, his niggling all game at Ninko, including wrapping his arms around Ninko to stop him at one stage also avoided a card, sometimes we only see what we want to see Fad.
punter
Guest
Funny Redondo, for all this selfishness that Ronaldo is preceived to possess, I have not really heard a former player speak ill of him, his former teammates at Man U or players who have left Real Madrid. Ronaldo v Messi, it's an opinion. Both outstanding players & by far the best in this generation, 5 Ballon dors apiece shows that & there are some wonderful players around.
Bruce grobelaar
Guest
Please A league fans. I love football and promise not to worry so much abt ratings . Can't wait til afl. But I'll do my best
New grobelaar
Guest
forgive me football fans I love the A league now and I’m not going to put down the A league because I’m bored waiting for afl Thanks for your patience
Lionheart
Guest
No Rick, it's not RL. Note the comment by the tailor, soccer and fashion are two elements that have always gone well together. The Frenchman looks particularly pleased with his garment, as does the Dane. They look good in person too.
punter
Guest
Between Bobo, Ninko & Adrian, one of these players will miss the ACL, so one of the latter 2 will be kept fresh for A-League. Carney has played most of this year as either Adrian or Ninko has been injured, first time both started yesterday for awhile. There is also a young player called Kalik, who is a quality player just not in Ninko or Adrian's level & lastly there is Retre, who could play the Hoffman role. So there is some back up here, plus we may need to call up some of the younger players. As for Bobo, yes if injured we are in big trouble, we would need goals from the midfield, both Simon (A-League has gone past him) & Lokolingoy (terrible 1st touch), may have the physicality to intimadate the Asian players, but neither will trouble the score sheets.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
At Work That looks like something the Australian Olympic team would wear at the opening ceremony — just horrific. LH Love the 20 second mark of the video, the part where all the players are walking in thinking: "WTF is a suit guys?"
At work
Roar Rookie
Who's we Grobbelaar, you're obviously taking delight that in those midweek ratings as you believe they are quite poor. Maybe stick to the 442 forums where you can put the boot in with your metric updates.
Grobbelaar
Roar Guru
A very entertaining game. We managed to get 44k mid-week ratings on Fox. Made it to 3rd spot last night, beating out: Keeping up appearances; and Paw Patrol (which I understand is a very popular show).
At work
Roar Rookie
Looking sharp LH, but of course Roar have Aloisi to follow who is the sharpest of all A League coaches. Can't go past the Syd FC and MJ Bale partnership: https://twitter.com/sydneyfc/status/926347167547105281
Lionheart
Guest
definitely a blight across the game watching the EPL they seem to ignore a lot more than we do, dives ignored and soft fouls/pens waved away. We need better referees.
Lionheart
Guest
so which is the best dressed A League team? Here's a stake in the sand https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlFxR0Xmwhs
At work
Roar Rookie
LH that was probably the Nabbout 'injury' where he was on the ground 'hurt' for a while, ordered off the field and then back running around a few moments later. The Bobo kicking the ball away is where the ref should act, but the ref can't really issue a yellow for a player who is on the ground and saying they're in pain. Anyway I think it's a general complaint that many of us have at a time to time with other clubs or countries.
Lionheart
Guest
I think the FFA has designated this as the year for Sydney to win the Fair Play award and renew its reputation.