Newcastle will face the Wanderers in a pre-season friendly at Cessnock on Saturday as the kick-off for the new A-League campaign nears. The Jets won all their matches while on tour in China and have recorded wins over Edgeworth and Melbourne City in recent weeks.

Newcastle opens the 2016/2017 season with a home game against defending champions Adelaide United at Hunter Stadium on October 9.

“Consistency is the key that we want in the last match coming up to the round one game against Adelaide,” Hoffman told FourFourTwo.

“Adelaide’s going to be a fantastic game to kick off the season and we’ve had a few good hit-outs now. Melbourne City on the weekend was another good one.

“Western Sydney in Cessnock is another big game for us, they’ve come off a loss in the FFA Cup so I’m sure they’re looking to bounce back straight away.

“For us it’s about focusing on what we’re doing now and trying to put the last few weeks behind us and with a clean direction on exactly where we want to stand going into the first round of the league.”

The Jets' pre-season has been rocked by the shock dismissal of head coach Scott Miller. Today Mark Jones has been appointed as Miller’s replacement.

Hoffman, who rejoined the club in 2015 after four years with Melbourne City, said the players are focusing on on-field matters.

“Something like this can often turn into a negative or a positive, depending on how the group takes it,” the 27-year old admitted.

“As you can see with the results we’ve had a winning formula which has galvanised the group. The group is very strong and I’m sure whoever comes in as the head coach, along with Clayton doing his part now, we’ve seemed to settle the ship and the results have been fantastic.

“The football we’ve been playing is good, it can be better and that’s the goal of the group so far. It’s to improve and make sure we’re prepared to start the season successfully.”

Hoffman praised the influence of club captain Nigel Boogard following Miller’s exit.

“It’s without saying that every club needs a head coach and a level of direction,” he said.

“In saying that we’ve got good leaders at the club, our skipper through this period Nigel has been fantastic to help keep the boys together, keep them strong and make sure we’re focused on what the players do best and that’s play.

“Play the style of football the fans want to see and obviously get good results, and we’ve done that in the last few matches. I’m sure this weekend will be no different.”