Newcastle Jets coach Branko Culina has deflected the ‘bogey team’ tag by insisting the pressure will be on Perth Glory in their Round 3 Hyundai A-League clash this Sunday in Perth.
Newcastle has a less than impressive record against the Glory winning just three out of 12 clashes and scoring just one win from six matches in the west.
But Culina believes Perth’s poor start to the season with two losses in the first two games, will negate the Western Australian side’s statistical and psychological advantage over the Jets.
“It is a difficult one. It is a long trip over to Perth and our record over there is less than good,” said Culina.
“But the fact they have lost their first two games with the quality squad they have got and with the expectation they have on them, they will be under enormous pressure to do well in this game.”
“That is a good thing for us because the pressure will be on them and if they can’t handle it we will be ready to pounce.”
Newcastle welcomes back talented young midfielder Ben Kantarovski to the Jets squad, while former Glory defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley looks likely to play a greater role for the Jets after continuing his comeback from injury. Culina said the extra arsenal bodes well for his side.
“We have some different options, which is a good thing for a coach, because Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Ben Kantarvoski are back, although Ben was pretty much just making up the numbers last week,” he said.
“But both of them have another week under their belts (in their comeback). But both are in need of some match fitness but the good thing is they are available and close to full fitness.”
Culina also dismissed the fact that the Jets have thrown away early leads in their first two matches, saying it is only a matter of time before his side gels in defence.
“We are a work in progress in that respect we are not where we want to be and at this stage, it just that we are not quite good enough to stem the tide … but it won’t be long.”
