Weekly Warm-Up: Newcastle Jets v Perth Glory

Be there as Jets go for Glory! With both sides needing to bounce back, who will emerge victorious?

Newcastle Jets v Perth Glory
Saturday 5th November, 5.30pm

Be there as Jets go for Glory! With both sides needing to bounce back, who will emerge victorious?

Get ready for a Saturday showdown at Ausgrid Stadium as Jets look to recover from a fruitless trip to the Gold Coast last weekend.

The 3-1 loss to United may have been disappointing, but they have an ideal chance to immediately get their season back on the right track as they take on a side whose confidence has also been knocked recently.

With Perth’s 100 per cent winning record being ruined on the Central Coast last week, Newcastle might just feel that they are there for the taking. So, Squadron, get along to Ausgrid and sing your side to an important victory!

There is no shame in losing to the Gold Coast. They are a promising young side who are very decent on their own patch, and there were positives to be taken from the loss, such as Ryan Griffiths once again proving how deadly he is with the ball at his feet.

His free kick led to Jobe Wheelhouse’s goal which reduced the arrears to 2-1 and gave them hope. They carved out other chances too and, had Ruben Zadkovich netted a good opportunity early on, it could have been a very different story.

However, after leaking three last weekend, Newcastle will have to tighten up defensively if they are to pick up a result against Glory. If they are as generous with the likes of Shane Smeltz sniffing around, they are going to be in big trouble.

The back-line will need to be more focused than ever but, if they can keep the likes of Smeltz and Dodd at bay, then they certainly have the wherewithal to grab goals at the other end and come away with the points.

Jets take on a Perth side intent on getting back to winning ways after suffering their first defeat of the season when they headed to NSW last weekend.

The 2-1 loss to Mariners ended their unbeaten run and will be especially disappointing considering they got off to the perfect start. With pretty much their first attack, defender Scott Neville produced a superb cross which Travis Dodd got his head on the end of to score his first goal since his move from Adelaide.

However, by half-time, Perth were behind and, despite a decent display in the second period, couldn’t claw back the deficit. Still, one loss does not turn a good side bad, and Glory will be looking to get their fine start to the Hyundai A-League 2011/12 season back on track with a more successful venture to New South Wales this time around.

In their nine meetings in Newcastle, the visitors in fact have the upper hand, having won five times to Jets’ four. It bodes well for the afternoon’s entertainment that there has never been a draw between Jets and Glory in NSW. Expect both teams to be gunning for the three points as always!

Be sure to play your part and make is a sensational Saturday night by heading to Ausgrid and creating a great atmosphere. Wear your colours, raise your voice!