Blog: There's Still Time...

YOU could be forgiven for thinking the fat lady had already sung over the Newcastle Jets’ season.

Possibly, nay, probably, you’d be correct. But even in this so-called ‘crisis’ I’m still of the opinion that she’s merely warming the vocals, yodelling a little and mouthing some vowels rather than already in full tune. Here’s why...

Take a look at the A-League ladder. Ouch! Yep, it definitely makes for disgusting reading if you’re a Jets fan but scrutinise it a little more.

Three weeks ago Wellington were also dangling in the cellar, their A-League season apparently as good as over. Three consecutive wins later they are in equal fourth spot (fifth on goal difference) and are a meagre two wins off top spot. We matched them with nine players last week and probably deserved to bring home a point from the Kiwi capital.

Also, there are only seven points, or two wins and a draw between third and last positions. In a league so congested, any string of results will catapult you up the table rapid fire.

Now take a look at the Jets’ upcoming fixtures.

This week we host Sydney FC, after that we travel to Brisbane to take on Roar, with Victory at home again post-Suncorp.

Sure, if we haven’t taken points in any of those games we may as well blood the youth side, but history says we can win these fixtures.

We have played Sydney six times at home since the A-League’s inception for two wins, two draws and two losses.

We’ve been away to Queensland five times since the A-League started for a perfect five wins.

And we’ve played Melbourne at EAS five times for three wins, a draw and a loss.

Whilst history doesn’t take into account current form, hopefully those statistics can rouse the today's Jets into what they have shown in patches they are honestly capable of.

With GVE back from the stands this week, Joel Griffiths sure to return with his “aggression channelled” against Roar away and with key personnel such as Adam Griffiths, Ante Covic and Jade North proving yesterday that even if their futures perhaps or do lie elsewhere they are still committed to the cause, it is still possible we could make a belated dash towards the finals.

Yes, Sasa Ognenovski’s late, late goal yesterday brought with it a certain air of formidability that this just isn’t going to be the Jets’ season, but I’d rather take a cup half full than half empty approach to the remainder of the year.

Eight games remaining, 24 points on offer. Time enough...