A month ago the Newcastle Jets playing style was described by TV pundit and former footballer Daniel McBreen as “vanilla”.
Their chances of a 2025 finals berth was openly scoffed at. This week some TV pundits/former players are predicting finals football is a real possibility. In fact Thomas Sorenson boldly stated “they are going to make the finals”.
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He also enthused “they are so exciting”.
Without doubt Newcastle’s fortunes have turned in large part on the signing of Japanese import Kota Mizunuma. The former Yokohama F. Marinos winger now has three assists in four games and is arguably the most impressive mid-season signing in the A-League.
His performances so far have already made him a Novocastrian fan favourite, and his on and off field enthusiasm seems to have galvanised the Jets team spirit too.
The return to full fitness and now a starting berth for Lachlan Rose cannot be underestimated either. The Jets No.9 leads the press aggressively and is giving defences nightmares.
He now has five goals for the season, but check the statistics. He is scoring a goal every 70 minutes, his nearest challenger is former Jet Archie Goodwin on a goal every 117 minutes. I’ll confidently predict he will pass the likes of Joe Lolley( Sydney FC) and Noah Botic (Western United) and will be the A-League’s top goalscorer come season’s end.
One change in the line-up that has received less comment has been the central defensive role that coach Rob Stanton has given captain Kosta Grozos. This began out of necessity with the injury to Aleks Susnjar.
Grozos took up this unfamiliar position against Sydney. A game that ended as a draw after Newcastle had led by two goals. Since that game the defensive line-up has been flexible, alternating between a back three, four or five.
Grozos has been at the centre though and has grown into the role. With 85 A-League games under his belt he is a captain willing to lead by example. Whether he remains in the Jets central defensive line will be a conundrum for the coaching staff with Susnjar soon to return.
The goalkeeping duties recently changed too, local product Noah James usurping Ryan Scott. Scott’s performances certainly had the fan base divided. Some blindingly brilliant saves could be followed by a howler.
His last, away to F3 Derby opponent the Central Coast Mariners, must have been the straw that broke the camel’s back. James got his opportunity and although after two solid games, including a clean sheet against the then third placed Melbourne Victory, is confidently looking to retain his role between the sticks. It would seem his position to lose.
Newcastle’s brand of football has certainly advanced notably in their last three games. The aggressive pressing has developed into an organised and therefore effective one. This not surprisingly has taken the pressure off the defence.
The last five games have yielded eight points and this stacks up well against other clubs results. In fact it’s finals form. The Novocastrians have ten remaining fixtures, six of those at their Turton Road home. They may sit 11th on 18 points, but the feeling amongst many fans is a corner has been turned and momentum is building.
A one game at a time mentality is a must though. This Friday’s home fixture against Brisbane Roar has to be a win. They currently are the cellar dwellers but should not be underestimated. The returning Henry Hore has added some much needed firepower up front so the Jets will need to be prepared.
Forget vanilla, the Newy Jets faithful can look forward to a genuine finals foray.
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