Andrew Nabbout says Newcastle’s impressive start to the Hyundai A-League season against Adelaide proves the side has the character to deal with anything.
Despite an off-season of change in the Hunter – which included the sacking of coach Scott Miller – the Jets secured a well-deserved 1-1 draw with champions United in the Hunter on Sunday.
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New coach Mark Jones has only been at the helm a couple of weeks but would have been proud of what his side produced to get a result on the opening weekend.
“We’re a really strong group, we’re really well-knit and no matter what happens off the pitch we stay together the whole way,” Nabbout told Fox Sports after the match.
“That showed in the game tonight, we didn’t stop and we fought together.
“It shows the character of the boys and it didn’t change.”
Nabbout was a standout for the Jets, while fellow new recruit Wayne Brown provided a moment of magic for the opening goal on 17 minutes.
A terrible defensive blunder allowed Jesse Makarounas to equalise before half-time before Newcastle had the best of the chances after the break but were unable to find a winner.
“We dominated the game in terms of chances. We could have finished them off earlier if we finished off our chances in front of goal,” Nabbout lamented.
“It was a sloppy goal to concede. But we take the positives out of it and move on.
“Our aim is to make the top six and push for that title and I know people aren’t backing us but we have to do what we have to do and I back the team.”
There are a few injury concerns for the Jets with new striker Aleksandr Kokko (calf), centre-back Daniel Mullen (medial ligament) and Jason Hoffman (Achilles) all forced off injured.
The Jets are back at home again next Sunday for the visit of Brisbane Roar.
