Newcastle Jets 2012/13 Season Preview

The busiest A-League coach during the off-season, Gary Van Egmond believes the signing of former English International Emile Heskey is the last piece of the puzzle for the Newcastle Jets. Van Egmond can finally call this squad his own with 13 fresh faces arriving in the Hunter’s capital during the off season, clearly shifting towards a youthful look. The question for the Jets is not one of financial security but whether Van Egmond can finally attest his managerial credentials and boost his young group into one of the dominant forces it has the potential to be.

Last season: 6^th

They’ll win the league because… 
...they now have the ability to score goals from anywhere on the park. Van Egmond has stringently attempted to instil an attacking and fast approach, underlined by the recruitment of mobile, young players who he is able to mould under this philosophy. Last season the Jets missed an out-and-out centre forward that enabled them to press at all times, however Heskey’s signing now combats this. Coupled with fellow recruit, young gun James Brown who at times lit up the A-League last season with some remarkable goals, Heskey can be the answer to the Jets once plaguing striker dilemma.

They’ll be cellar dwellers because…
...inexperience in the midfield may hurt them. Ben Kantarovski, James Brown, Jacob Pepper, James Virgili and Ruben Zadkovich all make up a relatively inexperienced and young midfield that can’t over rely on Heskey up front.  The departure of old heads Jeremy Brockie, Ali Abbas and Tarek Elrich not only add to the Jets possible rawness, but allows one to ponder whether there is much depth beyond the starting 11.

Talk around the watercooler… Look smart in front of your colleagues with this valuable piece of information.

Emile Heskey was nicknamed ‘Bruno’ by his former club Leicester City, due to his apparent resemblance to former British heavy weight boxer Frank Bruno.

The off-season brought…  
...a total player overhaul. As well as the highly publicised marquee signing of Heskey, Van Egmond has brought in an additional 12 youngsters and removed 13. Josh Brilliante, Adam Taggart, Mark Birighitti, Mitch Cooper, Scott Neville and James Brown are all exciting talents with enormous potential, as well as AIS National Youth League recruits, Mitch Oxborrow and Connor Chapman. Belmont boy Josh Mitchell is also an astute acquisition, who returns home to offset the potential inexperience and sure up the backline.

Key player… 
Emile Heskey. Van Egmond’s praise, “he’s given us a massive boost,” succinctly says it all. Heskey’s attacking prowess allows the Jets to press forward from the back and if given the ball, he’s confident he can improve his English Premier League record of a goal every 4.6 games, “I will get my fair share of goals given the opportunity," he said.

Off the park Heskey is already a proven success; since his arrival membership numbers have continually climbed towards the Board’s target of 11, 000, inherently dampening the attention towards Nathan Tinkler’s financial situation. Heskey has already impressed Van Egmond, who has labelled his experience and impact on the club as ‘invaluable.’

One to watch... 
Jacob Pepper. After being promoted to a regular starting spot half way through last season, the Newcastle born and bred 20 year old promises to build on his 17 appearances and excite in the midfield this season. After extending his contract with the Jets for another two years, Pepper was selected in the Olyroos which will undoubtedly add to the young Novocastrians confidence.

Full Squad List
1. Ben KENNEDY 2. Jack DUNCAN 3. Mark BIRIGHITTI 4. Dominik RITTER 5. Scott NEVILLE 6. Craig GOODWIN 7. Connor CHAPMAN 8. Tiago CALVANO 9. Taylor REGAN 10. Sam GALLAWAY 11. Josh MITCHELL 12. Ruben Zadkovich 13. Mitch COOPER 14. Mitchell OXBORROW 15. Jacob PEPPER 16. Josh BRILLIANTE 17. James BROWN 18. Bernardo RIBEIRO 19. Jobe WHEELHOUSE 20. Ben KANTAROVSKI 21. Marko JESIC 22. Adam TAGGART 23. James VIRGILI 24. Emile HESKEY 25. Michael BRIDGES 26. Ryan GRIFFITHS