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Van Egmond has focussed at training this week on developing the Jets ability to control a game, by the quick circulation of the ball played out from the back. The Mariners controlled the game last Saturday, which is something Van Egmond wants to change.
“If we can control the game, I think we can create enough opportunities in that front third to win the game. The issue for us is about controlling it and a number of other things will flow on from that. If we don’t, they have enough of an arsenal in their team to hurt you,” Van Egmond said in Wednesday’s press conference.
It has been slightly alarming to watch the Jets continue to play aimless long balls from the back to well over halfway rather than pressing though building possession. Luckily over the past few weeks both flanks have begun to shine.
Young talents Craig Goodwin and James Virgili are both great signs for the Jets future, as they have the ability to beat defenders one on one with ease. Virgili’s bamboozling run against Mariners defender Patrick Zwaanswijk not only showed his class, but also set up Heskey’s winner perfectly.
“It was good to see him (Virgili) put in a performance like that,” Van Egmond said.
“He is going to derive a lot of confidence from that as well.”
Since the opening round against Adelaide, the Jets' play in the front third has improved dramatically, in particular the service to main man Emile Heskey who has silenced the many critics who doubted his goal scoring ability.
Van Egmond commented on the necessity to achieve a balance in their building of possession and their service to Heskey.
“We’ve been doing it the whole pre-season, but with Emile getting here later, they’ve tended to look at that as an outlet a little bit too soon and we haven’t got that balance right as such,” he said.
The Jets have obviously focused on continuity, underlined by their extensive short passing, completing 661 passes at 75% this season so far. However at times their movement around the park has seemed rather stagnant. If the last couple of weeks are anything to go by, the pace in which they play with will continue to improve. And it will need to, as the Victory have the most completed passes in the league with 1205 as well as being the most efficient passers at 83%.
In a further boost to what is an already bright future for the club, five Jets have been named in the Young Socceroos, moreso than any other club in the league. Connor Chapman, Mitch Oxborrow, Josh Brilliante, Adam Taggart, Jack Duncan will compete in the Asian Football Confederation under 19 World Championship, held in the United Arab Emirates beginning on November 4.
The club is certainly heading in the right direction in terms of membership, sponsors, and community involvement as well as the youth development program, all of which will hopefully lead Newcastle on their way to a Championship winning season.