Newcastle Jets defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley says his side is not feeling any extra pressure heading into Saturday evening’s crucial Hyundai A-League clash with the Brisbane Roar at Hunter Stadium.
Newcastle Jets defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley says his side is not feeling any extra pressure heading into Saturday evening’s crucial Hyundai A-League clash with the Brisbane Roar at Hunter Stadium.
The Jets sit in sixth place on the Hyundai A-League ladder, just one point ahead of Sydney FC and know a loss will give Sydney the chance to leapfrog them and set up a tantalising showdown when the side’s meet in the F3 derby in next week’s final round.
However, a Newcastle win this weekend will allow the Jets to stay in front of Sydney and give the the Newcastle side the upper hand heading in the clash at the Sydney Football Stadium.
“We are not feeling any extra pressure coming into these two final games,” Topor-Stanley said.
“We put pressure on ourselves to perform each week not only because we want to win but for the fans as well.”
“We all push each other every week to strive for the best and we will go into this weekend’s game with the same attitude.”
“The positive thing is it is still in our hands, providing we can do the business this weekend it will putt he pressure on Sydney when we meet them in the final round and we won’t have to rely on other results.”
The Jets have been the form team over the last eight rounds with six wins, a draw and a loss but they turned in a below par performance last start when they snatched a last-gasp draw against the embattled Gold Coast United in a match they were heavily favoured to win.
Topor-Stanley was the hero last week heading home an Ali Abbas free-kick in the final seconds of the match and rather than describe the match as a “stumble”, Topor-Stanley said the team could take positives out of the result.
“It was a confidence thing more than anything,” he said.
“It was a boost to know that we play poorly and still get something out of the game, so that gives us a little lift in this weekend’s game against the Roar.”
“It has taken us a while for us to get used to Gary’s (van Egmond) tactics that he wants and it has come to fruition in the last 8 weeks and we have been playing some good stuff and it has been showing in the results.”
Topor-Stanley said the Jets tactics would change from last week’s match when the Gold Coast “parked the bus” to protect a lead. The big defender was more confident of an open game but said he hoped wasn’t the one having to score the winning goal for his side.
“Ithink I am causing Gary a heart attack when I get forward and leave holes in the defence, and he is quick to point that out, but if the opportunity is there to go forward I will do that.
“But first and foremost my responsibility is to marshal the backline and keep the line nice and high and limit the opposition’s chances,” he said.
“Last week we weren’t good enough to get behind them (Gold Coast) and be dangerous but Brisbane like to play a high pressing game and at times so do we so it could be a pretty open game.”
“Their ball movement is the highlight of their game, but hopefully we can restrict them and come out on top.”
