Newcastle Jets coach Gary van Egmond is set to make a number of changes to his squad’s clash with the Melbourne Heart, including starts for Connor Chapman and Bernardo Ribeiro.
Newcastle Jets coach Gary van Egmond is set to make a number of changes to his squad for Saturday’s clash with the Melbourne Heart at AAMI Park, including debut starts for teenager Connor Chapman and Brazilian Bernardo Ribeiro.
Van Egmond was extremely displeased with Newcastle’s lacklustre performance in their 3-0 loss to the Phoenix last week and indicated he would change his line-up.
“The one thing that doesn’t lie is the video session,” van Egmond said.
“You show that and I’m pretty sure people understand what occurred last week.”
Brazilian defender Tiago Calvano was dropped from the squad to travel to Melbourne with Qantas Young Socceroo Chapman set to take his place in the centre of the Jets defence.
“He’s done really well in the youth team games when he’s been playing and he’s been a real standout in those games,” van Egmond said.
“He’s just come back from the Young Socceroos who have qualified for the World Cup and I spoke with (Australian U-20s coach) Paul Okon and he was very high in his praise for Connor.
“He deserves his chance and I think it’s important to give these young ones the opportunity.”
In other changes, Matthew Nash will start in goals for Mark Birighitti, who faces up to eight weeks on the sidelines with a fractured cheekbone, while Dominik Ritter and Craig Chapman return from injury.
Van Egmond indicated he would also look to bring more spark into the midfield, with Ribeiro set to take the place of James Brown or Ruben Zadkovich in the starting line-up.
“Bernardo is definitely understanding his role a lot better,” van Egmond said.
“I think we might have been relying on a couple of other guys in regards to (providing) something a little bit instinctive. I think maybe that hasn’t as much as we would have liked.
“The one thing Bernardo can give you is a point of difference. He deserves his spot, he’s been training hard and he understands his defensive duties a lot better now.
“He also understands the physicality of the league here because that’s also something you need to get used to as well and he deserves his chance.
“It’ll be a good test for him and one he’s really looking forward to. He’s waited a while now to get his opportunity and this weekend he’ll get it.”
