The Newcastle Jets continued their road trip in Melbourne against the high flying Melbourne City, their first home fixture since that fateful night two weeks ago.
A high octane press from the City blues was met by a stoic Newcastle defence as Nabbout dazzled in the heart of the forward-line, with City continuing their destruction of teams in the competition with a comfortable 3-1 victory at home.
The second half blitz from Melbourne City is a sight we are all used to as the floodgates opened following a rare yet tidy finish from Scott Jamieson. Jamie Maclaren later added their third as Newcastle looked sluggish and dejected when moving the ball within the heart of the midfield, yet they grabbed a consolation goal through soon to be Wanderer Steven Ugarkovic, capitalising off some poor ball movement by City.
Connor Metcalfe and Craig None were deemed continual threats across the entire fixture despite their lack of distinct goalscoring contributions. Ultimately City continue to prove themselves as a dominant force with the early season worries now rendered a distant memory.
Melbourne City
Scott Galloway: 8.5
The captain leads from the back in an effective manner as he closed down Valentino Yuel and Jason Hoffman with ease. Scott then made a weaving run courtesy of a wonderfully executed one-two, rifling into the back of the net off the post. The well-travelled Australian is truly at home.
Jamie Maclaren: 7.5
Despite being relatively quiet in the first half, he added to his mind-boggling season tally in the second half through a well-placed assist from Andrew Nabbout. With 20 goals for the season, surely a European move beckons once again for the former Blackburn product?
(Mike Owen/Getty Images)
Craig Noone: 7
The Englishman provided a nearly inch-perfect cross to the feet of Andrew Nabbout as he struck just wide of the goal. His clearest chance within the first half occurred in the 18th minute as he cut inside in the 18-yard box, shooting just wide of the goal. Deployed as a diverse winger under the stewardship of Patrick Kisnorbo, he is having an outstanding campaign.
Andrew Nabbout: 8.5
Nabbout was superb off the ball, utilising the strength he possesses to beat his marker on the ball. The interchange with Craig Noone was utilised to full effect, providing plenty of width as he traversed through the Newcastle defence. 33 minutes in he drifted down the left flank, cut inside and struck it beautifully.
However, a strong Topor Stanley deflection brought City their first of the evening. He later added an assist to Maclaren through a well-timed ball while under pressure from the Newcastle defence.
Connor Metcalfe: 7.5
Metcalfe’s dazzling form continued as he was drifted into space for an early shot on goal. He tended to roam from his position at times, playing up the field in many stages of play.
Another half volley he struck hit the right post early into the contest. He possessed an aura of confidence, moving the ball with aplomb.
Newcastle Jets
Matthew Millar: 6.5
The Shrewsbury loan returnee was afforded arguably one of the two most threatening chances on goal while roaming into the forward line, however, he failed to demonstrate the final touch needed.
Steven Ugarkovic: 7
He tucked away a nice finish in the second half, proving his credentials as an outstanding and resilient holding midfielder.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
do we still have a cap and marquees and all that?
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Newcastle itself is an easy sell (numerous beaches, less traffic, actually affordable housing). Going there to play for the Jets is a harder sell.
Franko
Guest
Well Lopez hasn't brought a heap because he's been injured. But when he has played, he and Juande offer composure and experience in a very young side. Early on Caletti, D'Arrigo and Nathan Konstandopoulos were completely over awed and AU could never control the ball. Mauk is now out there (on one leg) and with one of the Spainards they are able to control tempo better, which suits Juric (maybe less so Toure).
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
yeah hes barely had a look in like i said. Hes not first choice, he's only playing because the player in front of him is out injured, otherwise he'd be warming the pine all season. He is just one of the many players that constantly gets stolen from adelaide by city in their early teens, because they have money and we dont. City dont develope there youth, they never have; they just pay absurd fees to parents and agents to take the rest of the countries youth (inparticular adelaides, as they know we produce quality young players). You dont just take players, you take executives like petrillo from adelaide lol "old player route" you realise we're the youngest team in the comp? why would we need OAPs to be fancy for? thats what our kids are for lopez has been played out of position all season and constantly gets tackled badly by opposition players (simon, bratton etc) to the point where he misses several weeks for injuries. You haven't seen the best of him. Juande was not needed, because lopez's best spot is his position. Its only because of the season ending injury to konstandopolous and the rubbishness of caletti he was brought in to help with a young midfield. He's done perfectly fine. adelaide has the best attack in the league, if you take maclaren out of city that is. We share goals around, unlike city. We're an actual team, not a 1 man team like city are
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Barely had a look in? He has been starting since Nathaniel Atkinson was injured and doing very well. I dont have a clue why MV let him go why give a player a go when they are young and then forget them. The biggest stupidity in the A-league is clubs who dont want to pay for players in the early 20's because a players best years are generally from 24-30, so you should pay a premium for players at that age because they will improve and if your smart lock them in with no escape clause Of course there are exceptions. if you're going down the old player route like Adelaide you could at least get a spectacular player who provides something to watch, a Carrusca for example. Not sure what Lopez and Juande are offering for Adelaide, they are not that effective and don't fit in with Adelaide's main quality the hack attack. Maybe in a tiki taka outfit there would be some purpose to them.
brookvalesouth
Roar Rookie
NPL3 is up and firing, with most of the depth players getting plenty of pitch time. Sure, the standard isn't the same, but its miles in the legs.
Winter A League is Awesome
Guest
Leckie seems to be a rumour. Also I hope its not a marque signing like Kruise.
Winter A League is Awesome
Guest
Its a harder sell for a player to come play in Newcastle over Melbourne or Sydney just from a life style perspective. I don't think the Administrators can do anything about this.
Winter A League is Awesome
Guest
Another great win by City. The only issue is once the side is raided, the subs haven't played a full 90 minutes all season and will be chucked in at the tail end of things.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
100% centreback my views on koutroumbis are well known to the club. the previous director of football did not agree with my reports on him during his development (he still made his way to the club though) and the fact that the coach at the time ignored bringing him up to the senior team is a real sore spot for me. koutrombis and jenkins-perkins are the 2 players I would sign at the end of the season to replace elsey, Jakobsen & timotheou. They’re both young and from Adelaide (always the 2 pre-requisites for recruitment in my book) However I don’t have much sway in the transfer department when it comes to other players; (young players I give my recommendation on is a different story;) but ultimately its the clubs decision to sign any players.
pete4
Roar Rookie
Leckie signing is big one for next season Not sure with Nabbout, Colakovski there already City need him tbh
Franko
Guest
Where do you think Katroumbis' best position? If CB surely a ready replacement for Jakobsen/Timotheau? Also adds cover to RB when Marrone inevitably pulls the pin.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
they need to be looking at what players will be there next year. ugarkovic is off to the wanderers (i wouldnt even be playing him due to this), theyre also sniffing around koutroumbis; which half the league will be in for. (koutroumis i predicted would be an a league player from seeing him go through west adelaide. I was bitterly dissapointed to lose him, he is the sort of player you can build a team around.) add to that the OAPS (hoff, boogs, roy & toppors) who should be moved onto greener pastures. They need to inject youth into that team ASAP, results may get ugly; but they have nothing to lose the forward line of all the adelaide boys (yuel, stampa & yengi) is already set for the next couple years
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Neal, that's a great upbeat summary but watching from the stands it seemed a little different. Jets did a good job holding City in the first half. Nabbout's goal was ably assisted by a wicked deflection and JMac was being well shadowed by NTP & Co. We were contained by the Jet's defensive structure which worked pretty well. Second half we played a little better but somehow didn't manage to go up the gears like in previous games. Maybe I'm expecting way to much! In the past we would have been celebrating a 3-1 victory till the cows came home - and some :laughing:
pacman
Roar Rookie
More young players, yes, but the wholesale introduction you are suggesting Andy could be dangerous. Signs of a losing culture are evident, and it would be unhelpful, both for the club and its younger players, for a series of heavier defeats towards the end of the season. So a degree of caution is advisable. 1 or 2 young bloods in the starting Xl, with another 1 or 2 off the bench is my suggestion. Further selections would be dictated by results.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
i dont think deans is under pressure what so ever, given the off season turmoil. The only gripe i have with deans is he is still playing too many OAPs and not enough youth. Newcastle mathematically can't qualify for the finals, i wanna see there starting XI with 4-5 youth players each week with 2-3 more coming off the bench
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
galloway is a greedy little so and so!!! he had struggled at every a league club prior to coming to adelaide, unfortunately we couldn’t offer him the contract/wage he felt he deserved (or should i say his agent) as usual we cant compete with citys financial muscle and had to lose one of the many many many players we lose to do them every year. as for garrucio, i know adelaide had signaled there interest in bringing him back home; but not on the wage he wanted. So that door was quickly closed, hes barely had a look in for city this season
pete4
Roar Rookie
Jets winless in past 11 games now. Robinson at WSW under pressure Deans at the Jets should be too
brookvalesouth
Roar Rookie
And Noone, not None.
brookvalesouth
Roar Rookie
Jamieson, not Galloway.