The Newcastle Jets can challenge any team in A-League Men’s (ALM) this season… as long, as they learn to “manage games” better.
That’s the opinion of two of the side’s most experienced players Brandon O’Neill and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos.
The pair has witnessed a major transformation in the Rob Stanton-coached squad throughout 2023/24.
However, Newcastle’s effort and dominance aren’t reflected on the table.
The Jets currently occupy 10th position on the ALM ladder, five points out of the top six.
But, they should be higher, according to captain O’Neill, after the team’s knocked over frontrunners Wellington Phoenix and drawn with fourth-placed Melbourne Victory at various stages.
“We’ve got six draws and seven losses this season [along with our four wins],” he said.
“A lot of those results went against us in the final 10 minutes or so.
“So, we’ve shown we’re very competitive.
“We just need to close out matches and finish our rivals off… become ruthless.”
That sentiment was echoed by star striker Stamatelopoulos, after Newcastle relinquished a 3-2 lead – against a 10-man Western Sydney Wanderers, who levelled the fixture 3-all in stoppage time.
“We dropped two [competition] points when we should have collected three,” he said.
“You can’t afford to keep doing that.
“Unfortunately, it’s been the story of our season.
“The positive is… we’ll get better, that’s the main thing.
“A lot of it comes back to game management, knowing how to win games, especially against 10 men.
“We should have put our foot on their throat.
“I think we needed to score one more goal, particularly the way that we’ve drawn and lost matches this season.
“That’s what I was communicating with the boys and we were all on the same page.
“However, we just let it slip at the end, which can be frustrating for everyone.”
Stamatelopoulos, who bagged a double in the Wanderers’ clash at the weekend, took his tally for 2023/24 to 13.
And, while pleased with his own form, he knows it’s “crunch time” for the Jets.
“It’s my job to put the ball in the back of the net,” the man with the golden boot said.
“If I get chances, I know I have the confidence in myself to do that.
“But, I’d swap them (goals) for a few victories.”
Newcastle locks horns with cellar-dwellers Western United at AAMI Park on Friday 16 February from 7.45pm.
It’s become a must-win encounter.
For more sports stories:
- ALW: Jets’ rising star Hoban making her mark on big stage
- Inaugural Charity Shield kicking goals for HMRI
- REAL NRL: Lions determined to pounce again in 2024
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