With an understrength, injured side, the Jets held their own against the so-called "form" team of the competition, Central Coast Mariners. If it wasn't for Newcastle's new tradition of not scoring consistently, the result could have been very different too. Jesic had a fine shot saved acrobatically by young Mat Ryan and there were other very good chances in both halves that could have changed the game substantially.
Toppa was very looking very good, and seems to be building the strong backline again without Ljubo there.
Simic is looking the goods too - the kind of player who could fit easily into a Brisbane Roar side. Is it fair to compare our players to Brisbane Roar players? Is it fair to compare the Jets to Roar? I think it's fair to make comparisons, even though the teams are very different.
To me, the Jets look better when they play a passing game, in the way Brisbane do, I will not hide my preference for that style. The quick release over the top isn't working for the Jets or our players.
The game against the Mariners was notable for the fact that there was alot more one and two touch football through the midfield, with the backs determined to play out from the back. That was a relief. Let's hope we see more of that next season.
If Branko wants to change tactics from game to game and try counter-attacking football when needed, he should be looking at the Manchester United of a few years ago with Rooney, Ronaldo and Park Ji-Sung and their laser-guided passing counter attacks, or the Inter Milan that won the UEFA Champions League under Jose Mourinho. Those counter attacks are based on drawing the opponent forward and then stringing two or three rapid passes with through the midfield and defence. That's different to lobbing the ball over the top from our back line and hoping Haliti can run the ball down.
Anyway, knowing that Brisbane is coming up against Central Coast gives me a reason to support them, at least in the finals. After last weekend's game, I hope Roar tear the Mariners a new one. It's the only consolation Jets fans can take. And it's quite likely.
Alright, for you few Mariners fans that might have accidentally strayed onto this Jets blog, the coastie scum (to use the vernacular) have played well this season. Better than I've ever seen them play actually. But that still doesn't mean we have to like it. And the Jets still beat you in the Grand Final.
Kudos for the travelling fans. Rainy day, secos, beachballs. Such grief and yet they still get there to support the team. The A-League has very few real derbies, and the NSW teams need to keep the derby rivalry alive and travel in numbers to away games. It's all we've got.
In conclusion, it's been a mixed and not very tasty season for the Jets, on and off the field. First the debacle about players' wages and the unceremonious dumping of Constantine by FFA, then long string of injuries and the salvation of the club by Nathan Tinkler, followed by the kit change debacle.
And through all that, the failure to make it to the finals. Some of those things are like acts of God. Other things, like the inability to score enough, or win enough, can be attacked by the Jets coaching staff in the off-season.
If the big signings come off, then there's really no excuse for being in a similar position next year.
