Newcastle Jets coach Gary van Egmond has admitted the current circumstances that see the Jets propping up the Hyundai A-League have been the toughest times of his coaching career.
The dream of defending their champions title seem all but gone after the Jets slipped to outright last after Sunday’s 2-1 loss at home to Sydney.
The Newcastle club, which is the only team to have qualified for the finals in every year of the Hyundai A-League, seems almost certain miss out on this year’s final campaign as it is eight points off the top four with just seven rounds left to play.
“It is going to take a very big effort to get us back in and we will have to rely on other results to go our way but we are just approaching every game on its merits and on an individual basis,” said van Egmond this week.
“No one wants to believe they will be in that position at the beginning of the year, but we are in the position now and we have to ensure that we all stick together and get ourselves out of this. And that is not just players, coach and club it is the supporters as well.”
“Results wise it is definitely (the toughest times). It is something we are all not accustomed to in Newcastle and to the club as a whole in regards to making the finals three years in a row and it is not something you want to see on your resume in regards to not making the finals.”
“So it is a difficult time but at the same time rest assured we are doing everything possible to be effective on the pitch and that goes from as much work as we are doing on the training paddock to video analysis to recruitment to a whole range of things.”
“The club is endeavouring to whatever they can within the A-League and obviously setting ourselves up for next year and the Champions League as well.”
With nearly everyone writing off the Jets as finals contenders, van Egmond admitted there has been a lifting of the pressure on the club, but the head coach put his players on notice that they must start to lift their form if they hope to maintain their place in the squad for their appearance in next year’s Asian Champions League.
“I think it is important that we start playing good football and get back to a winning mentality with the Asian Champions League just around the corner,” he said.
“It is not going to be a case where we have a dreadful season and then expect to do well in that Champions League. It is not going to happen.”
“We have got the opportunity to bring new players in for the Champions League who will be pushing for positions once the A-League has finished so the players that are here now have every opportunity to do well and secure a spot in the team for the Champions League.”
