Newcastle Jets attacker Nathan Burns believes the Jets have a strong platform to build on heading into Sunday’s Round 3 clash with Wellington Phoenix in Napier.
Newcastle Jets attacker Nathan Burns believes the Jets have a strong platform to build on heading into Sunday-s Round 3 clash with Wellington Phoenix in Napier.
The Jets secured their first point for the campaign with a gritty 0-0 draw against Perth Glory at Hunter Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Burns looked lively in his first outing in front of the Novocastrian faithful, having a strong appeal for penalty turned down after being felled in the box in the dying minutes of the match.
“Defensively we were very good, so I don-t think we need to be too stressed at this point,” Burns said.
“In the end we obviously didn-t get the result we wanted but there were still a lot of positives to take out of the game.
“The last two games we have been very good at defence, the first game we just made a couple of personal errors and that happens, but defensively as a group we have been very good.
“We just need to work on our midfield and attack, put all the pieces together and we-ll be right to go.”
The former Socceroo believes the team-s performances will continue to improve in the coming weeks and suggested the possible return of Emile Heskey for next weekend-s F3 derby was a timely boost.
“When Emile comes back it will be completely different, you-ve got to remember all pre-season we played to suit him,” he said.
“So him getting injured one week out from the season was a bit disturbing for the attacking system.
“I think we-ll keep grinding out, get better every week and hopefully get the results in the meantime.”
Despite the Jets not finding the back of the net so far this season, Burns believes the team-s solid defensive structure is a good platform to base their campaign around.
“I-m very confident because defensively I think that-s the most important thing, it-s hard to fix a defence and you don-t want to be changing a defence during the season,” he said.
“The attacking part just comes and we-ve got a big weapon to come back into the team.”
Playing in just his second match in more than 12 months following knee surgery, Burns- dribbling ability and movement provided a constant threat to Perth-s defenders.
Burns- said he felt his performances will continue to improve as he gets more game time and hopes he can strike up a lethal partnership with Emile Heskey when he returns from injury.
“I felt I went out there and gave it everything because I think the fans deserve everyone to give 100 per cent and show that they-ve got nothing left in the tank,” he said.
“Game by game I should get stronger, I-m very happy with how I ran out the second half.”
