Newcastle Jets boss Scott Miller says his team will be seeking to put pressure on Adelaide United from the opening whistle when the two teams clash at Coopers Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Miller said that the Jets must take the fight to Adelaide early to try and compound the pressure on Guillermo Amor’s men.
Adelaide are still searching for their first win of the Hyundai A-League 2015/16 season.
The 2014 Westfield FFA Cup winners fell to Wellington Phoenix across the ditch last Friday night.
Miller said the Reds’ recent results could provide an advantage for the Jets.
“There has to be a positive intent from the kick-off,” Miller said about his side’s strategic approach.
“Putting a lot of intensity and fear into them in possession is essentially what we need to do.”
“I feel that if we do that it’ll actually compound their lack of confidence to a degree.”
But while Miller says that it’s important to understand the way your opponents play, he maintains it’s more important for his troops to be concerned with their own style and the systems they have put in place.
“We need to focus on us and focus on our principles and force them onto the back foot,” he said.
“From the kick-off we need to be front screening, marking high up the pitch and really engaging with them [Adelaide].”
“But we also need to focus on our possession, our commitment and work ethic.”
The Jets are coming off the back of a draw against F3 Derby foes Central Coast.
Miller’s men held the lead against Tony Walmsley’s team until late in the game last week, but suffered a late leveller via Matt Sim.
Miller explained that his team has been working hard in training on being able to close out games.
“The next stage of the team’s development is to maximise and take charge of those situations and see the game out,” he said.
“It’s about correcting our mistakes and learning from them and that’s what we’ve been doing this week.”
The Jets’ boss says that while his team will be going to Coopers Stadium with the expectation of bring home three points, he realises it’s still early stages in the season and knows that there are plenty of opportunities left in this campaign.
“I was told when I took the job that things can change within two games and I’m very aware of that right now,” the former Fulham FC Assistant Coach said.
“But it’s 27 games [A-League season] and this round won’t compound or define our season.”
“It will obviously take a step with a performance and a result but we’ve got plenty of other games to take advantage of.”
After six games last season Newcastle Jets had only secured two Hyundai A-League points, however this term have accumulated ten.
Adelaide United vs. Newcastle Jets – Hyundai A-League 2015/16 Round 7
Date: Sunday 22 November 2015
Venue: Coopers Stadium, Adelaide
Kick-off: 4:30pm (local), 5:00pm (AEDT)
Tickets: Please click here to purchase match tickets
Travel: Please click here to view Adelaide away travel deals
Television: Live on FOX SPORTS 505
Radio: Live on ABC Grandstand & 1233 ABC Newcastle
Social Media: Join the match conversation on Social Media using #ADLvNEW
