Post by johnnywarren on Sept 28, 2006 21:17:32 GMT 10
Jets - the entertainers - AAP
Newcastle coach Nick Theodorakopoulos has pleaded with local residents to support the Jets ahead of their crunch A-League home clash with Perth at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Friday night.
Currently seventh and missing several key players through injury and suspension, Newcastle are in desperate need of a boost after scrambling for a last-gasp draw against Central Coast last week.
However, Theodorakopoulos promised fans his team was one worth watching, claiming they played the best "value for money" football in the entire competition.
"We talk about value for money, and if you look at for and against (goals scored), if anyone has followed Newcastle over the first five games, they would have seen 17 goals," Theodorakopoulos said after a training session.
"If you look at every other team and their goals for and against, we're certainly the team people should be coming to watch."
Theodorakopoulos said while he wanted to restore a sense of football pride in the Hunter Valley region, his first priority was give the people a successful, winning team.
"I think the whole Hunter region has a genuine sporting culture rather than just a rugby league or football culture, and like every successful region, they want to see teams winning," he said.
"We've played some very good football, but we haven't been able to give the people something to be proud of... but rather than wait for us to win, they (should) come out tomorrow (Friday) and provide the support we really need."
"I'm not hiding (from criticism) and neither are the players, but if you asked every player, they'd be begging for the people to come out."
The Jets head into the match without the services of seasoned defender Paul Okon and attacker Joel Griffiths after both were shown red cards last weekend.
Stuart Musialik misses the game with a shin injury, while Vaughan Coveny, Jobe Wheelhouse and Craig Deans remain long-term absentees.
Midfielder Adam D'Apuzzo is a chance to start after recovering from midweek toe surgery, while striker Mark Bridge will be monitored around the clock until kickoff after leaving training early with a virus.
For Perth, former Adelaide striker Mimi Saric has been dropped after failing to make an impact in recent weeks, allowing coach Ron Smith to recall midfielder David Micevski.
Former Socceroos goalkeeper Jason Petkovic is also in line for his first match of the season after overcoming an ankle injury, despite the respectable form of teenage fill-in Aleks Vrteski.
Newcastle coach Nick Theodorakopoulos has pleaded with local residents to support the Jets ahead of their crunch A-League home clash with Perth at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Friday night.
Currently seventh and missing several key players through injury and suspension, Newcastle are in desperate need of a boost after scrambling for a last-gasp draw against Central Coast last week.
However, Theodorakopoulos promised fans his team was one worth watching, claiming they played the best "value for money" football in the entire competition.
"We talk about value for money, and if you look at for and against (goals scored), if anyone has followed Newcastle over the first five games, they would have seen 17 goals," Theodorakopoulos said after a training session.
"If you look at every other team and their goals for and against, we're certainly the team people should be coming to watch."
Theodorakopoulos said while he wanted to restore a sense of football pride in the Hunter Valley region, his first priority was give the people a successful, winning team.
"I think the whole Hunter region has a genuine sporting culture rather than just a rugby league or football culture, and like every successful region, they want to see teams winning," he said.
"We've played some very good football, but we haven't been able to give the people something to be proud of... but rather than wait for us to win, they (should) come out tomorrow (Friday) and provide the support we really need."
"I'm not hiding (from criticism) and neither are the players, but if you asked every player, they'd be begging for the people to come out."
The Jets head into the match without the services of seasoned defender Paul Okon and attacker Joel Griffiths after both were shown red cards last weekend.
Stuart Musialik misses the game with a shin injury, while Vaughan Coveny, Jobe Wheelhouse and Craig Deans remain long-term absentees.
Midfielder Adam D'Apuzzo is a chance to start after recovering from midweek toe surgery, while striker Mark Bridge will be monitored around the clock until kickoff after leaving training early with a virus.
For Perth, former Adelaide striker Mimi Saric has been dropped after failing to make an impact in recent weeks, allowing coach Ron Smith to recall midfielder David Micevski.
Former Socceroos goalkeeper Jason Petkovic is also in line for his first match of the season after overcoming an ankle injury, despite the respectable form of teenage fill-in Aleks Vrteski.
