Newcastle Jets are six points adrift of the Hyundai A-League top six but star striker Roy O’Donovan says they are not giving up on pushing their case for this year’s Finals Series.
The Jets did their cause no harm on Sunday as they clinically dismantled Adelaide United 3-0 at Coopers Stadium, with Irishman O’Donovan netting their crucial opener late in the first half.
The win was the biggest ever for the Jets over the Reds in the South Australian capital and sees them move to ninth on the Hyundai A-League table on the back of a six match unbeaten run.
Speaking to Fox Sports, O’Donovan says his side are spurred on by the a possible surge into finals contention that seemed unlikely less than two months ago as they sat last on the table.
SUNDAY: Clinical Newcastle too strong for rudderless Reds
SUNDAY: Phoenix equal club winning run by mauling the Victory
“We’re giving ourselves a glimmer of hope,” O’Donovan said about his side’s top six hopes.
“That’s all it is but we have some big games to come hopefully but tonight we were good value.
“We tested Adelaide and we took our chances when they came along.”
The Jets have been reborn under their new coach Carl Robinson with a raft of new faces finding their feet, while season long regulars have discovered new life.
However, O’Donovan, who has now netted three goals since he returned to the club in the January transfer window, explained that there is no single catalyst to the side’s turnaround in fortunes.
“It’s a little of everything. It’s a bit of getting back to basics for us and it’s a little bit of the new manager coming in [and] it’s hard work.
“[But] results breed confidence and we are on a bit of a run at the moment and we are looking good.”
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By contrast, the early season positivity that surrounded Adelaide United remains an increasingly distant memory after they spurned their opportunity to return to the top six.
Midfielder James Troisi admitted that his side’s fortunes will continue to flag unless they can stem the flow of goals after shipping 15 to their opponents in their current four match losing run.
“The funny thing is tonight is that I thought we played really good football,” he explained.
“The intent was there compared to the last couple of weeks but ultimately when we are conceding the way we do we aren’t giving ourselves a chance.
He added: “We always start well but we cop a goal and it makes it hard for us to come back.
“But what can we do but continue to work and get ourselves out of this hole,” he concluded.
SATURDAY: City miss chance to gain ground on Sydney with Wanderers draw
SATURDAY: No separating Sydney and Perth in goalless arm wrestle
Round 24
Newcastle Jets v Wellington Phoenix
Sunday, 22 March
McDonald Jones Stadium
Kick-off: 4pm AEDT
- Adelaide United have a bye
