Newcastle Jets coach Gary van Egmond has given a stinging assessment of his side’s performance after playing out a lacklustre 0-0 with the Perth Glory at Hunter Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Newcastle Jets coach Gary van Egmond has given a stinging assessment of his side’s performance after playing out a lacklustre 0-0 with the Perth Glory at Hunter Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Jets dominated the opening half, controlling possession and the tempo of the game but were unable to take advantage.
The Glory managed to work their way back into the match in the second half and perhaps had the clearer chances to grab all three points.
“I thought the football was poor, the way in which we played,” van Egmond said of his side’s performance.
“We created a number of opportunities and we didn’t take them unfortunately.
“I thought there was too many times we didn’t look for the right solution playing out.
“People looked nervous, not just us but also them. It looked like a game both teams didn’t want to lose, rather than a team wanting to win.
“It was a warm day, which makes it more difficult for the players in regards to their movement, but still you have to have that stronger mentality.
“We could have given ourselves a better chance if we had have taken the advantage of some set pieces and the opportunities that arose.
“We just have to have that real aggression in the front third and that desire to really put that ball in the net.”
Van Egmond was particularly harsh on his younger brigade of players for the second week in a row.
As many as five of the Jets line-up played in national sides including the FIFA under-20 World Cup during the off-season but that experience has yet to translate to performing well in the A-League this season.
The Jets coach said some were perhaps ‘overawed’ in last week’s season-opening 2-0 loss to Sydney, while this week he was critical of their commitment.
“They need to come down on terra firma and start working for the Jets and getting results for the Jets,” van Egmond said.
“When you have those opportunities against a team away from home, you have to have the killer instinct in that front third.
“I am not saying that all the players are in that boat but there were a few that didn’t put their hand up and have a real dip.
“I think it is nerves. I think it is about them trying to get more confidence from the perspective of the game, but at the end of the day we are all accountable and they have to make sure they turn up.”
Meanwhile, the Jets will sweat on the fitness of former Dutch international Kew Jaliens.
The key defender was forced from the field early in the second half with a corked thigh and the progress of his recovery will be assessed as the Jets look for their first win of the season when they travel to Wellington to take on the Phoenix next Sunday.
