Over the last two months, the resurgence of Newcastle Jets has become one of the A-Leagues’ most fascinating storylines.
On January 17th, Rob Stanton’s men sat 11th on the ladder, with just 10 points from 12 matches and two of their three victories coming against the league’s bottom two.
Fast forward to now and the Jets are a genuine chance to make the finals on the back of an extraordinary run of form which has seen them go seven matches unbeaten, recording four wins and three draws, making them one of the competition’s most in-form sides.
Indeed, no one has more points in their last seven matches.
What’s behind the Jets’ turnaround?
It is no coincidence that Newcastle’s purple patch has coincided with the arrival of Japanese signing Kota Mizunuma, but he is only one piece of a broader puzzle.
The Japan international has been a superb addition, bringing bags of experience, a wicked delivery from the wide areas and brought the best out of enigmatic striker Lachie Rose – according to Stanton, he’s “a 35-year-old who trains like a 17-year-old”.
He’s chipped in a goal and three assists since debuting on January 25 in the first match of the unbeaten run, but it is his general presence which has inspired a youthful Jets outfit to truly believe.
“This started last year when I first got here,” Stanton explained in his press conference after the Jet’s 1-0 win over City, their first victory in the fixture at AAMI Park for a decade.
“We had six wins, 10 draws, we had 16 results last year. To make the six, the teams were hitting 17, 18 – the problem with us was draws. So we were missing something.
“I had a really good look at it when the season was going on, what we were missing, I thought we needed more control. People maybe thought we were unfit, I thought we just needed to change things a bit.
“A little bit more possession, more control, that means a system change but no principle change.
“The principles were good, so I reflected on that. I think it started from day one, this is a progression of believing in players, believing in backing players. For example, Eli Adams is continually scoring goals now, but he is playing minutes. So that means you give them belief, empower them to be leaders, to take ownership, they’ll deliver for you.
“You’re getting to the point where they’re getting enough accumulation of exposure, experience to now see what it is to be a top pro.
“Kota (Mizunuma) came in, he is a great example of what a top pro looks like. He just tipped them over the edge when he arrived – and Charles (M’Mombwa) – they just showed them just a little bit of difference of what a real professional looks like.
“We can say it as much as we want but they have to see it from their peers. When he came … that little bit that was missing, the belief that we kept saying to them, sometimes it would just fall over, now I see it in them.
“It is getting to the point where they are controlling what they’re doing, which is great.”
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Who else has stepped up?
While Mizunuma’s impact has been pronounced, there have been impressive performances all across this Jets side in the past few months.
After 2-2 draws against both Perth Glory and Central Coast Mariners, Stanton made the bold decision to change goalkeepers, switching out vice-captain Ryan Scott for the inexperienced Noah James, which has proved to be a masterstroke.
James made his A-Leagues debut way back in 2019-20, but hadn’t played since when he was named to start in goals against Melbourne Victory on February 2.
In the five games since, he has recorded two clean sheets, conceded only three goals and been a part of four wins. His eight saves, including a remarkable double effort, were a huge reason why the Jets found their way past City.
“He’s been a patient kid, having to wait his chance,” Stanton said.
“Ryan Scott has done a really good job for me since I’ve been here from day one, I don’t want to dismiss Ryan’s (role). Ryan has been a great example for Noah, to see what a really good pro looks like, so when he got his chance he was ready.
“That is what makes a really good culture and goalkeeping department.
“I’m really happy for him. I want to praise him. He’s going to be a wonderful keeper. He deserved the credit.
“It means he’s done the work and he’s getting the reward.”
Meanwhile, his defence has done a stellar job, with Mark Natta, Thomas Aquilina and redeployed captain Kosta Grozos showing reel steel at the back, while Daniel Wilmering and Mizunuma provide the width.
In the engine room, Lachlan Bayliss has been so influential he’s been tipped to be in contention for a senior international debut for New Zealand and Callum Timmins has been ever-present.
Clayton Taylor is having another excellent season going forward, with five goals and three assists, while Eli Adams is producing a goal reel that any striker in world football would be proud of.
Then there’s Lachie Rose, the reborn goal machine who cannot stop scoring; a goal every 98 minutes is the mark of a player truly finding his best form in a team built around him.
“Lachie has put a lot of work in to get where he is. I think that’s the most goals he’s scored in a season so far and he missed eight games at the start. He is clinical,” Stanton said.
“… I’m so happy for him because he’s a terrific guy.”
What happens next?
All eyes are on the race to the finals.
With seven matches to play, the Jets are in striking distance, sitting six points away from the top six.
The Jets’ run home:
16 March: v Western United (H)
28 March: v Macarthur FC (A)
6 April: v Wellington Phoenix (H)
12 April: v Central Coast Mariners (H)
20 April: v Sydney FC (A)
26 April: v Western Sydney Wanders (H)
4 May: v Melbourne Victory (A)
In this sort of form, the Jets look capable of riding the wave all the way into the finals, but Stanton is not getting carried away.
“I can’t do it for them. Anything can happen,” he said.
“I just look at it one game at a time, I have to stay in my process because if I get carried away, we just get smacked in the face – and I don’t want to do that. I’m going to stay focused.
“Everyone else can get carried away, but I won’t be.”
He added: “(Western United) are a top team. They’re doing very well. Melbourne City are a top team. Auckland, Steve has done a brilliant job with them. Adelaide are a good team.
“There are a lot of good teams, maybe they don’t look at us as a good team, but we’re playing good football and I think maybe we’re entertaining and certainly we might upset where we should be and others.”
Another element to keep an eye on in this story is the future of Stanton.
The 52-year-old has engineered a remarkable turnaround in the Hunter, but his future remains a recurring topic that refuses to go away.
His latest comments on the subject were cryptic, to say the least.
“I’m not really worried about my future,” he explained.
“For me, I want to coach where I’m working with really good people and good players. Where they’re younger and older.
“I want to make sure I have the tools to develop them to the best they can be. If I don’t have that, then my future would alter greatly. At the end of the day, you’ll see what is going to happen, it is what it is.
“For me, I’m happy now because I can see the work that I’ve done and I can see it’s at the point where the players now are almost in control of themselves and that is where I wanted to get them.
“That means they have belief and are at the stage where they can see how far they can go now and not put a limit on themselves. That took a lot to unlock. It was draining, but I can just see now they are almost ready. We’ll see what happens at the end of the year.”
