The season opener win over Melbourne Victory last Thursday ended the long wait for a triumph in 2009 and McKinna is hoping fans will return to back Bluetongue Stadium for the first F3 derby of the season on Friday night.

"The win in Melbourne got that particular monkey off our back and we can move on," McKinna told au.fourfourtwo.com after training.

"I think that win has lifted a few of those who were disappointed about the finish we had to last season. Hopefully the Melbourne win has got the Coast buzzing with enthusiasm about football again.  

"Let's hope it has made up a few minds with people as to where they're going to be on Friday night. It would be great to have a big Bluetongue crowd."  

Chris Doig is the only injury doubt for the Jets clash at this stage although McKinna is confident he will start as long as he pulls up okay following Thursday's training session.

If Doig fails to make it then either Nigel Boogaard or Pedj Bojic will come into the centre of defence.  

While Central Coast's win was widely acknowledged as a shock, the manner of the victory left some unimpressed - but McKinna's team has copped its fair share of stick over their playing style since the A-League began.

"What's entertainment?" hit back McKinna. "To me, the Melbourne match was a good, hard physical game by both teams.

"There was some good football played in certain patches of the game. I'm sure the 10 or 15,000 who hopefully get to Bluetongue on Friday loved watching that game on Fox. The comments we've had was that it was a good, disciplined performance.  

"The players worked very hard. They defended well and knew they were going to be under the pump in the second half. You'd expect that playing away against the champions.  

"I've said it before - maybe it was the first or second season - we'll never apologise for winning a game of football. We will put out the team we think is best equipped to win a match and give 100 per cent to try and win it.

"That's no different for the Newcastle game. We need to get a result or last week is pointless. We need to build that momentum and send the fans home smiling."  

McKinna also defended his side after they were charged by the FFA for incurring six yellow cards in the win over Melbourne at Etihad Stadium. He insisted the card count failed to reflect the spirit of the match.

 

He added: "There wasn't one bad tackle in the game. Two of our cards were for players standing in front of the ball. Nothing malicious at all."