Newcastle Jets overcame a slow start to eventually dispatch Victory 2-1 in front of over 15,000 at the Hunter Stadium to kick-off Round 4 of the A-League. Emile Heskey and Archie Thompson were the goal-scorers, but why did the result happen?
 

Melbourne Victory

3 keepers in 3 weeks
The surprising recruitment of Nathan Coe to the Victory goalkeeping ranks caught me off-guard when it was announced on Tuesday, with twitter drums beating that Jade North was on his way to Melbourne. Coe has been struggling for game-time in Denmark over the past months and Victory was able to get his signature and start him this weekend. That surprised me, as it does take time for a keeper to develop a relationship with their defence but he was solid, being let down by his defence on two occasions. His signing also means either Velaphi or Thomas will make the drop to the NYL, it remains to be seen who.

Unlucky?
You can argue that Victory deserved a point from this game. There were times where Victory dominated in parts but couldn’t punish the Jets with a goal, particularly throughout the first half. Victory had their opportunities but will be left to rue their profligacy. Marco Rojas provided much of the attack, and it was only when the number 11 switched wings with Archie Thompson in the first half that Victory looked more potent in attack.

Milligan important
With every game he plays as a midfielder/extra defender the more he becomes important to  Victory. The Socceroo seemed to have the job of marking the target-man Emile Heskey, and despite an early second-half brainfade which saw the Jets number 9 bag a quickfire (and eventually match-winning) brace, Milligan seemed to be controlling that well.

Archie breaks the drought
Despite being in scoring form for the national team, Thompson ended his long drought in front of the goal for the Blues. It has been a long time in between goals, and it would’ve been more concerning had he not been getting involved in games. Let’s hope, for Victory fans sake, that this is the first of many for the season.

Mentality
Now this bothered me during the Brisbane and Heart games, and it looks like becoming a trend over the season. What I’m talking about of course is Victory’s slacking off (if you have a better term, leave a comment) and opening the door for teams. This definitely happened at the start of the second half. There seems to not be the mental strength needed to focus for the full 90, and it can cost you big time.
 

Newcastle

Lucky?
This went through my head a few times after the game, as the Jets couldn’t get the game under their control in the first half, but did in the second. The difference is they scored the goals. You can talk about false nines, 4-3-3s but football is a simple game, you score goals, you win. The ability to get results when you aren’t playing that well is the mark of a good team, that’s definitely what the Jets have done in the past 2 weeks.

Heskey time
Earlier in the year, who would’ve thought we would see Emile Heskey scoring every week in the A-League? While all eyes are on Ale Del Piero (rightly so), Heskey has had the biggest impact on-field so far. He put Victory to the sword after a lacklustre first half and swung the game his team’s way. I didn’t know how he would fit the Jets, but his teammates have adjusted to his game and he seems willing to put that back to the club with goals.

No Virgili
Admittedly, I thought this was a mistake when Gary van Egmond opted for the extra midfielder in Ben Kantarovski and left arguably last week’s man-of-the-match James Virgili on the bench. It did start to make sense as the game went on however. The Jets were left exposed a few times the other week against the Mariners, so why not add that extra cover in a holding midfielder?

Birrighiti’s game
All the headlines went to Heskey, but if it wasn’t for some stunning first-half saves that kept the Jets in the game, there may have been different headlines. Mark Birrighiti was outstanding, with his fingertip, diving save off an Adama Traore rocket from long range arguably the save of the round.

Sleeping giants?
There was plenty of turmoil surrounding the club earlier in the year with the Tinkler/FFA fight, but that has turned around and the club looks set to become one of the best in the league. A bright, vocal support base with home crowds steadily over 12,000+, with a bright young group and a marquee target man, anything looks possible.