Watching the meek performance Newcastle mustered against Adelaide in the Australia Cup, it was clear that the club has taken a step backwards.
Last season they finished as the league’s third highest scorers, with only the Mariners and City outscoring them, albeit this was helped by a couple of freak 4-0 wins over the Wellington Phoenix. But the signs are that the potency of their attack has diminished.
The creativity in goal was provided by a front four of Olivier Boumal, Valentino Yuel, Daniel Penha and Beka Mikeltadze, with this quartet accounting for 60 per cent of the side’s goals in 2021-22. But aside from the last named of that list, they have all left the club.
Replacements have been sourced in the form of Reno Piscopo, Trent Buhagiar and Jaushua Sotirio, but on Saturday Piscopo was not on the pitch, while the other two did not get close to the level seen last year from the departed players.
The young Archie Goodwin will hopefully improve this year, and he offers some hope, while the inconsistent Kosta Grozos will need to put his stamp on games much more than his anonymous performance against the Reds. However, all the preseason indicators point to the Jets being overly reliant on Beka Mikeltadze, and this will become only more obvious this year if those around him do not step up.
They had weaknesses on the defensive side last year, and these problems remained against Adelaide. In the 2021-22 season Newcastle finished as the side with the equal fourth worst defensive record – and this stat is arguably skewed in their favour given Wellington were worse than them only due to the eight goals conceded in the two 4-0 games against the Jets.
(Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
Looking at their signings, not much has been done in terms of personnel changes to address the Newcastle defence in the post-season.
Jack Duncan remains their first-choice keeper, with the former Dockerty Cup-winning keeper from Hume Michael Weier having signed at the start of last season to give the club stalwart some competition. But neither of these keepers are likely to feature in any fan lists of the top five keepers in the division.
In front of him sit the centreback pairing of former Socceroo Matt Jurman and former Reds man Jordan Elsey. Both are solid but relatively limited and past their best. Fullbacks Dane Ingham, Jason Hoffman and new signing James McGarry are all decent going forward but are prone to mistakes when carrying out their defensive duties.
Against Adelaide neither Weier nor the centrebacks covered themselves in glory when conceding a scrappy set piece goal, indicating that the defensive woes may continue. Jets fans will be hoping that the other new signing, the young defender Mark Natta, will provide some improvements and that Arthur Papas can bring some of his defensive organisation that saw Green Gully tighten up their defence in 2016 when he took over a team with a leaky defence in the NPL Victoria.
Another major positive from last season was the improvement of Angus Thurgate, who was unlucky to lose out to the Georgian Mikeltadze as the Jets player of the season. The 22-year-old from Port Macquarie was by far the league’s most improved player. He added goals to his game in 2021-22, which in addition to his outstanding work rate as a box-to-box midfielder has given the club a crucial anchor in the middle of the park.
With Brandon O’Neill signed as a holding player following a disappointing stint at Perth, the Novocastrians will be hoping for a relationship to form in a way that sees Thurgate get even better.
However, Thurgate alone will not be enough to deliver finals football to the soccer-mad region of Newcastle.
Taking the evidence seen against the Reds on Saturday, it looks like it’s going to be a long season at the Hunter.
Jack Twohill
Roar Rookie
Adelaide have small contracts because they develop in a better catchment area than most A-Leagues outfits. Pretty sure Goodwin is the highest paid player in the comp. This point is stupid, we should be commending a really good United side that have gelled well, Adelaide will be around the plate race this year. There monetary spend doesn't reflect how good their side really is.
Jack Twohill
Roar Rookie
A harsh rubbish take. Penha is a loss, but not irreplaceable. Piscopo is an adequate replacement. Beka has goals in him. Trent and Josh are quality players, more direct than Boumal and Yuel, but not worse players. Natta is a solid young defender alongside Elsey can work as he Natta can play the ball. Jenkinson is much more than a English one way fullback. He is versatile and quick, showed dynamic play at City. Not saying finals, but certainly not a spoon team, WSW, Syd FC and Perth have had worse off-season's than the Jets. WSW aren't a cohesive unit, we haven't seen much from them yet (lack of friendlies, didn't do much at Australia Cup level), Syd FC have made 0 signings which is bad considering the long list of departures and Perth have signed Amini who was average for Syd FC and a league 1 level central defender (but Jacob Dowse is on trial = Ronaldo).
Jaime
Guest
It's hilarious to read a whole article about losers without even a sentence of acknowledgement of how Adelaide, without big contracts, nullified the Jets' game. Just a sign of how unbiased this blog is.
Mark
Guest
I see they have also picked up the two Glory boys, Stynes and Timmins as well. Both raw but could become decent players.
Mark
Guest
He can play both FB and CB so versatile in the back. Also scored three goals for City in half a season which you'd take from any FB
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Griffo, you've either been busier than a politician making promises, or you've been missing in action. Seriously though, if this team can gel, there is so much potential I believe. And at this point, I dont think heavy critisism is warranted. We released a team worth of players and acquired almost the same amount. Give the lads time. Additionally, with leadership from the like of O'Neill, Jurman and Hoffman, and with Papas at the helm, there is potential for our lads to put the cat amongst the pidgeons. It's a big call when an experienced player like O'Neill says he wished he come to Newy sooner. Whichever way you look at it, there's really not a weak team in the league this season and it 's going to be an absolute ripper. Keep the faith!! Come on you Jets!!!
Waz
Roar Rookie
Bit harsh on Jets after one game, especially where Adelaide looked pretty good. They have a good coach and some decent signings so should go okay, even if goals might be harder to come by.
Bruce
Guest
When is it not, the Jets are complete wack (as the youff say)
Will
Guest
The Jets really need a No.10, from watching their Australia Cup game last week they missed Daniel Pehna who was excellent in that role last season. Also not sure about the attacking options either, a lot of pace but little in technical quality apart from Piscopo who is often a winger but they need more on that front.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Very early pre-season for some so can only see how this team transpires first few rounds in. I do think the technical and passing vision has dropped with the loss of Bumal et al although Yuel was inconsistent at times but I would have kept him but hard to see him starting with Piscopo and Sotiro also in the squad. There is no consistent Penha replacement as yet - that will be key if we can find someone with a near similar assist rate. Won't get the best from Mikeltadze if he is isolated so hoping the players we do have will provide support and make their own contributions to goal. Again technically I think we will be a level down. I think we had a bigger squad budget last season so probably not as many imports but who knows who Mikeltadze will convince for #10. But we needed to improve defence and I don't think we have, and looking less likely, so it call be undone with similar defensive lapses. But who knows what can happen if it all clicks into place.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
I beg to differ and I am not going to make a call until there's tangible evidence either way
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Again, how many players have been let go from the club, how many have been brought in! It will take time to establish cohesion and understanding under a complex Gaffer like Papas with so many new guys.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
I gave the Jets heaps of positive comments after they beat the Nixs the first time, playing attractive free flowing football and dominating the Nix in key parts of the field. It was a Jets side i said would be top 4 playing like that. But what happened? Again they fluffed it game after game after game. The club deserves better but until then ill remain sceptic.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Jenkinson? What do they want with Jenkinson, he is an English style style defensive full back . Surely there would be some long ball Championship club that wants him. How much would Jenkinson have cost as well. If they make him a center back that could help them though his distribution is not bad.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Why is Maraguis who very promising out on loan after doing tremendous at the end of last season. Surely its completely crazy that Maraguis is out on loan. Sotorio and Buhagiar have got speed , they can run onto through balls more suitable as strikers in a counter attack system. They are certainly not Boumal and Yuel type wingers. Then there is no Penha to thread through balls to them. Piscopo is like Mikeltadze but unlike Mikeltadze he can turn , and take on players and manafacture something. I dont see what the two of them have got in combination. The only consolation for Newcastle is having Brandon Oneill as defensive midfielder. Its a mystery whats going on its like the Addams family that kept Uncle Fester and Lurch and let the others go.
Bendtner52
Roar Pro
Thanks, I wrote this without the news of Jenkinson. He’s a big signing and could shore up the defence somewhat. Would it be too much to say that he has the potential to be their best full back since Georgievski ?
Grem
Roar Rookie
Do you like anything, NoMates? Give me a positive about The Socceroos and the A Leagues. You can do it!
Grem
Roar Rookie
He just seems to be getting better and better. He is a talent and Popovic will push him.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
Like Roar they will be fighting for the spoon this season, Ive given up all hope for this club.
Mark
Guest
I think Jenkinson is a solid signing, a player who works hard and plays for the shirt and much experience and especially at City which is pretty much Papas' play sheet comes from. Yes, Sautirio and Buhagair are down grades but Piscopo could be a good link up player with Beka. Only concern with Piscopo is he's a bit of a one way player so will need someone else to do his defending for him.\ unless Papa can get him more well rounded. TBH Jets will be probably in that group that challenges for sixth, you would'nt expect more from them.