In the 24th minute of the Newcastle Jets home game against new boys Macarthur FC a collective groan was stifled by a combination of masks and celebratory cowbells.
Matt Derbyshire’s header from a Loic Puyo corner had put the Sydney outfit 2-0 up and the majority of Novocastrians must have been thinking, “Here we go. The floodgates are about to open”.
The Jets fought their way back into the game with Valentino Yuel scoring his first goal in the blue, red and gold. The injury-time handball (or not handball) by Macarthur central defender Aleksandar Susnjar left the Newy faithful fuming.
It certainly was not lost on those in attendance that the incident occurred at the ‘cursed’ end of the ground. Okay, it’s not cursed, but the offside-onside VAR call in 2018 grand final debacle still rankles for some. For the record, referee Ben Abraham did get the handball decision technically right.
Three days later and Newcastle fans left Hunter Stadium shaking their heads in total disbelief. It had been 17 shots to Newcastle and four for Brisbane; 56 balls into the area for the Jets, nine for the Roar; and a massive 56 per cent possession for the home side.
Brisbane must have breathed a huge sigh of relief at the end of proceedings when they walked away with a 2-1 win.
Between these two fixtures the then interim coach came out publicly in support of Roy O’Donovan. His form slump had been noted by many, and he hadn’t even bagged a goal during the preseason. This was certainly an inspired piece of man-management and a show of faith in the now O’Donovan. There were plenty of good signs in the first four fixtures, just without points to show for it.
Finally Newcastle’s fortunes have turned favourably with two gutsy wins over Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne City along with a well-deserved draw against Western Sydney Wanderers. Roy O’Donovan is back on the goal sheet with two and Yuel has extended his goal count to four.
Roy O’Donovan (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
With Matthew Millar on board and Lachlan Jackson back from injury, Newcastle’s squad is gaining depth. More good news has arrived in the signing of former Young Socceroo Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, and the side also welcomes two players on loan from Malaysian side Johor Darul Ta’zim: 29-year-old Liridon Krasniqi, who previously played in the Czech Republic and Turkey, and 21-year-old Syahrian Abimanyu, a youth product of La Liga side Levante. All three are available from 16 February.
Newcastle’s season is starting to look brighter. For the first time in a long time even some football journalists are suggesting the Jets as serious contenders for a finals berth.
Craig Deans deserves much of the credit for keeping this squad of players focused and in a positive frame of mind. He’s considered a local now by most fans, having been in and around the Newcastle organisation now since 2003, and his appointment as the full-time coach is a popular choice.
It’s obvious he has the players believing in themselves again, and this season really does feel like it is coming together nicely. With the promise of a full-time assistant coach and more resources at his disposal, success may not be too far away.
Newcastle’s next two fixtures should be very interesting. First up are the high-flying Brisbane Roar, who will be smarting after their recent loss to Macarthur. Away fixtures at Suncorp have previously proved a very happy hunting ground for the travelling Newcastle sides, who have brought home 13 wins and four draws from 20 games. The Redcliffe ground may well be a different prospect, with a vocal Queensland crowd in close and a large attendance expected. It will be a test for Deans’s team.
The second away day will be against a Melbourne Victory team that’s currently on struggle street and looking like serious contenders for a wooden spoon.
Four points from these two matches would be great. Six would be impressive. Fans in the Hunter Valley are starting to smile again, and they’re believing that anything could be possible for the Newcastle Jets.
Will
Guest
They certainly look better in recent games, to be fair they were playing some nice football with little return in the first 4 games where they lost all of them. To think their best creator in Najjarine to come back, Millar whom will be an upgrade at right back/wing back and the new signings from the Malaysian league to come in as well. The Jets will certainly won't be a disappointment. For me the Victory and Adelaide look to be in some spot of bother so the Jets are not the worst team in the league and might back even make the 6.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
That was a bad idea with even worse execution, but at least it was a sincere effort. They didn't actually want it to fail.
AndyAdelaide
Roar Rookie
It's a dog eat dog world unfortunately, the rich clubs will always pick the bones of the smaller club. But at least the smaller club in the A league will get some financial compensation
Buddy
Roar Rookie
AA - I was only trying to give an example where teams would be falling over themselves to pick up two experienced players like NTS and NB and a promotion fight would be the ideal scenario. However, when you are trying to stabilize a club and the team itself, you also require players of their calibre. I think we both agree from the many articles commented on that we would prefer to see youth given an opportunity as oppose to some of the overseas players that have hit our shores and appeared to be "looking for a free lunch". However, we'll have to disagree on youth policy overall. On Wednesday night it was pleasing to see young Daniel Wilmering back at WSW after a horrible injury last year and Natta was at centre-back although that may just have been due to injury. However, Carl Robinson left Aquilina out of the side and went for the experience of Georgevski. It was probably the idea of a balance of youth and experience and not necessarily form that prompted that decision. I don't see Connor-O'Toole as a solution if not at least alongside one of the two incumbents and with the form they are in, why drop them? - If it is pace they are worried about, you only have to see that Thurgate run and cover last weekend to know that there is pace around that is hard working and intelligent. As for transfer fees, I'm not sure they will solve anything more than compensate for losses. When you look around the globe you see clubs develop players and then "engulf and devour" comes along and picks them off - maybe at a fair price, maybe inflated but they end up with all the most talent so what changes?
AndyAdelaide
Roar Rookie
you follow newcastle? yet dont follow your youth teams? :laughing: Newcastle isn't the youngest (that would be us) nor is it the oldest (bulls/sydney/western united) you're in the middle of the age bracket. the table is not an accurate reflection of any team currently (besides victory who have been woeful this season) Every other team has over/under achieved so far
Rodger King
Roar Rookie
You made a lot of sense Newie. The part that you stated keeps the club culture going. I think is lost on a lot of 'corporate type owners' For all the success that some clubs have had, there appears to be little true 'club culture' associated with said club. [You can name any club here]. Club culture normally begins with a family type atmosphere associated with community clubs, but not always. I am a strong believer that a closely bonded group pf players, not just the first team squad, will achieve more than a group of players thrown together to win a trophy. I'm not a fan of the Jets or the Mariners, but I sincerely hope they both finish 2nd and third on the ladder, behind Adelaide of course, but well in front of the other 3 NSW clubs.
Simon Kelly
Roar Pro
Boogard imo is in the best form of his career. I have no doubt he's the first name on the team sheet. Topor is indestructible. Jackson is off the injury table and is an obvious successor when one of these finally hangs up the boots. Not sure whose currently in the youth or even junior squads that may eventually step up. I don't know for certain if the Jets are the youngest squad, but we have many young players. Plenty are getting opportunities too.
Simon Kelly
Roar Pro
Hmm, the table doesn't lie the Mariners aren't on top just by sheer luck. I don't see either ourselves(Jets) or the Coasties languishing at the bottom. Johnny K just keeps getting better and he's a genuinely nice guy. I met him briefly in the lead up to the Grand Final and he was seriously blown away by the fans excitement and gratitude of making the Big Dance. We haven't seen too much of Yengi yet. I'm sure he'll get further opportunities though.
Nick Symonds
Guest
Don't forget ABC2 with their broadcast of Liverpool vs Sydney. Literally hosted by comedians like Aaron Chen, Jules Schiller, Tegan Higginbotham and Steen Raskopoulos. What a joke that was. POST MATCH HEADLINE: ABC2 slammed for ‘worst football coverage in the history of Australia’
NoMates
Roar Rookie
After they smash Roar this weekend i feel they will be heading in the right direction with or without using the Feb transfer window.
AndyAdelaide
Roar Rookie
Theres no promotion/relegation in the league Buddy, my comments arent that “controversial” on this subject lol heres my logic; given that they are one of the favourites for the spoon, there is no point in having a soon to be 35/36 year old who wont improve or have any form of resell value. When you could be starting a home grown 17/18/19 year old who could develop into a mainstay for the team or be sold in a years time for a few hundred grand. boogs & topors have been great servants to not only newcastle but the game in australia as well. There comes a time when unfortunately you need to let them go to greener pastures. I understand the mentorship side to help the young lads out, however my guess is that they’re still playing because the young CB’s aren’t coming through (much like the reason we persist with Jakobsen, because we dont have any decent young CB’s coming through our own system) clubs need to realize there pecking order in this league, majority have to be selling clubs because financially they are under strict budgets (central coast, adelaide, newcastle, wellington) We all cant be city/victory/sydney who spend the full budget and them some outside it. Create players to sell, that is and should be the a league motto! Once transfer fees come in, you will see the smaller clubs start to take over this league, i guarantee you of that ????
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Channel 7?
Buddy
Roar Rookie
I was a bit surprised to see your comments about NTS and Boogard. Maybe if the game was played on paper that would be a valid argument but if you watch the Jets in action you would see the sheer volume of work those two get through in 90 minutes and the amount of times their collective experiences prevents goal scoring opportunities. They may be in the twilight of their careers but they are players that you want around to work with the youth of the squad and to lead by example. Best parallel I can think of is when you have a team looking for promotion. You need a blend of experience, youth, brains, bulk and a sprinkling of flair and skill. You always make sure you have some seasoned veterans especially at the back that helps keep things calm and gives a level of confidence that doesn’t come from the young and upcoming players.
AndyAdelaide
Roar Rookie
i still think they will be fighting for the spoon along with the mariners, both have the weakest squads in the league, however they are both punching well above their weight so far. Newcastle as a squad seem almost galvanized after all the off field shenanigans involving the wanderers as well as the club trying to find a buyer. Confirming deans was a positive step in the right direction. There is a steely reserve about their play so far this year (especially when nothing is/was expected from them) The only small issue i have is, as there's no relegation they should be playing more of the talented kids (not relics of a bygone era like boogard, stanley, hoffman etc) I was bitterly disappointed to lose Johnny Koutroumbis, he looked a real talent for our youth team and he's done well to come back from cancer. Looks to be a good bet for the olyroos as well, will be apply to take him back home when his contracts up Also was upset to lose Tete Yengi, we have that many quality african australian players we couldn't afford to keep everyone and chose the more talented brother lol. He's a good target man though
Newie
Guest
Hear hear!. Those losses in the opening weeks were hard to watch, with so many chances missed. There were some games where the Jets should (by my calcs ;-) ) have been 3-0 up by half time. Anyway, I think Deans is a good appointment, keeps the club culture going. It was such a shame when they appointed then sacked the unfortunate Stubbins and lost a lot of the decent staff that were in the Jets setup at that time.
Franko
Guest
I'll keep saying it.... Nobody Faarks Football Like FOX
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Good article - thanks Simon Kelly. I'm looking forward to seeing them at Dolphins on Sunday. Good luck to them (but not too much). It's a double-header, W League but SFC is Roar's opponent there, top of the table clash. What a great game and win for our Roar women last night, but oh, Fox commentary. Really, aren't commentators supposed to be unbiased and fair, but listening you'd think only one team was playing. Even post-match, no interviews with the winning team, Have they no pride?
Simon Kelly
Roar Pro
Yes I agree with most of your comments. Money doesn’t necessarily mean success though. Just look at Melbourne City, although covid could well be playing it’s part. With everything that’s occurred with the Newcastle Jets it’s amazing that we’ve pulled through and are looking like contenders again. Time will tell but there’s definitely a positive vibe at the moment.
Buddy
Roar Rookie
With the ownership issues, sudden change of management and maybe player unrest many pundits were predicting a bleak season for the Jets. Anyone who has watched a good proportion of games this season (not just one team) will almost certainly agree that on any given day either side could take three points and that there are no overwhelming favourites. In the early games this season Newcastle could just as easily taken points from MacArthur, Brisbane and WSW. The trouble is that when winning and losing is very habit forming and so it was great to see them change things around in Wollongong in yet another game that could have easily swung in the opposite direction. On present form The Jets have nobody to fear as such in what must be the most open competition for points we have ever witnessed in the A League. If Yuel continues to develop and is scoring goals and assisting, there might be less pressure on O’Donovan which will benefit the side enormously. Right now, it is MV that don’t appear to have any answers to their problems although to write them off as wooden spooners elect might be a trifle foolish if we check the record books. It looks like being a season of mixed results. A few surprises, bankers and some head scratchers - when you can’t help wondering why an alternative scenario didn’t play out. That makes for a far more interesting season than so many leagues that offer up a one or two horse race.
Greg
Guest
Oddly, our two wins were probably from two of our worst performances this season. The start of the season can be summarised by attacking football, dominating games and simply not taking chances. This is a common theme the last few seasons. Ultimately, the difference between taking those chances and winning/losing \ games is a touch of quality in the final third. And to get the quality you need money. Until the club is recapitalised, we won't get there. But in the mean time, the attitude shown by the players on the field to play attacking football and not simply dropping their heads and accept the difficult situation the club is in (and the same for the Mariners) has been great to see. Further, it has been done in the backdrop of Robinson leaving and the disgraceful behaviour of Ibini (for which greater scrutiny should be applied). To take that situation, and then produce the performances we have, is a credit to some of the larger figures at the club (i.e. Deans, McKinna, Boogard, NTS etc).