WAS yesterday evening's triumph over Sydney FC the catalyst for Newcastle Jets to produce an A-League V2-esque mid season rise up the ladder into serious title contention?

Going out on a limb like the brave and now cashed up punters who took the Jets at $5.65 for the win prior to yesterday's clash (I ummed and arred but alas wasn't one), I'm going to say yes.

Okay, so one win over a team that is - despite their second place standing - in a form slump doesn't make a season, but the manner in which the Jets played yesterday will certainly provide Newcastle fans far and wide with plenty of promise.

Clearly, Branko Culina worked last week to instil in his team the need to produce a passionate, proud and positive performance where last ditch efforts to shut down shots and win the pill were paramount.

All members of the starting side especially showed this, with no one typifying it more than the man who will be most sorely missed - workhorse Matt Thompson - in the lead up to brilliant Brit Bridges' brace.

Going in without a single thought of self preservation to win the 50-50 ball against an in-form Simon Colosimo when others would have perhaps shirked the responsibility of the challenge epitomized the desire which abounds in Thompson, and which the Jets now need to work to continually produce.

The flow of many of Newcastle attacks, with Bridges central to many of the moves, also indicated improvement. Last week against Wellington, the Jets looked stale upfront, lacking a leader to guide them in their front third forays.

With Bridges' direction to Rooney, Haliti and Song, Newcastle looked all the more likely to bulge the back of the net, and it is no coincidence it was the first time the Jets struck three goals in a game since round one against Phoenix with the Englishmen in the team.

The argument for a rapid Newcastle rise up the rungs of the A-League ladder is strengthened when you consider the fact the side won without the services of Fabio Vignaroli. It's true Vignaroli has yet to fully hit his straps in the Jets' gold jersey, but one suspects a week off at this time of the campaign may well have done the ageing Italian the world of good anyway.

And let's not forget the tantalising prospect of Joel Griffiths lacing up the boots for Newcastle in the New Year. A Bridges, Haliti, Griffiths attacking trio with the ever able Rooney as first choice supplement is quite simply a sumptuous proposition, and one that has the potential to strike fear into the heart of A-League coaches everywhere.

Indeed, it could be that Newcastle, like the betters who backed the Hunter boys got a lucky pay day and Jets wins will again return to being hard to find in the form guide, but a solid follow up performance against Adelaide this coming Friday should be some indication as to whether we've got what it takes to mount a proper challenge for A-League glory this campaign.

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Rumour has it Adam D'Apuzzo is on his way to Adelaide United and Jin-Hyung Song will leave at season's end to try his luck in Europe. With Matt Thompson already gone, I just wonder when rumours, news and confirmations will start to flow for players actually coming IN.

First preference should be to sign players with tried and tested A-League ability, then Aussies abroad.

Luke de Vere has been linked with Heart but could we make a play too? Is someone like Fabian Barbiero or Wayne Srhoj available?

And why not consider Romanian-based Josh Mitchell and Spase Dilevksi, or former Olyroo Ersan Gulum who's in Turkey with Adanaspor? Surely sending someone to check out the likes of these lads, or picking up the phone to their agents couldn't hurt, even if only one in 50 eventually lands on the tarmac at Williamtown...