Newcastle assistant coach Craig Deans has warned that a “relaxed” Gold Coast United shapes up as a potential danger for the Jets as they look to clinch a Hyundai A-League finals berth.
Newcastle assistant coach Craig Deans has warned that a “relaxed” Gold Coast United shapes up as a potential danger for the Jets as they look to clinch a Hyundai A-League finals berth.
Tipsters are predicting an easy win for the Jets on Friday night and with Gold Coast odds on to claim the wooden spoon and embroiled in amazing off-fields dramas over the past few weeks it would take a brave punter to bet against anything less than a comprehensive Newcastle win.
However with Football Federation Australia assuring the Gold Coast’s survival for the rest of the season, the pressure of finals football alleviated and players keen to prove their footballing prowess, Deans warned that Newcastle cannot afford to take a complacent attitude.
“There is no pressure on them (the Gold Coast) and they are free to play football and enjoy it and sometimes that frees you up,” Deans said at Jets training on Tuesday.
“They proved over in Wellington that they are more than competitive.”
“They went down 2-0 but the last goal was scored quite late on, so they were in the game right up until the final kick.”
“We need to make sure that we don’t give them that opportunity.”
“We need to come out strong in the first 10 or 15 minutes and let them know that we are here to play and we want the three points.”
The Jets currently sit in sixth place on the table and a win on Friday night will move them alongside Perth Glory on 37 points and have the Newcastle club vying for a home semi-final come finals time.
But a loss could see the Jets lose touch with the top teams and allow Sydney FC to draw level in sixth spot should they defeat the Melbourne Victory at home on Saturday.
“At this stage of the season every game is (a danger game) especially in the position we are in,” Deans said.
“If you lose one you can find yourself in a bit of trouble again so we need to make sure that every time we go on the park we have the aim of getting the three points.”
“That is what we did down in Melbourne and we came away with the points so we need to take the same attitude into this week.”
