David Carney believes the Jets are capable of notching a big enough win over Adelaide to keep their finals hopes alive.
Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets winger David Carney believes the Jets are capable of notching a win over Adelaide United by a big enough margin to keep their finals hopes alive at Hunter Stadium on Friday.
For the Jets to qualify for the Finals Series, they must pick up all three points against the Reds on Friday, Sydney FC must lose to Perth Glory on Sunday and the results from both matches must account for a four-goal swing in goal difference.
While the task ahead of them is daunting, Carney said the Jets are still optimistic they can leapfrog the Sky Blues into the top six during the final round of the season.
“We were looking at the result yesterday hoping a bit of luck would fall our way with Wellington beating Sydney, but it wasn-t to be,” Carney said,
“It-s not over yet. We-ve still got to try and take the positives out of last game and take that into the Adelaide game.
“Stranger things have happened in football. If we can get a good result, hopefully, fingers crossed Perth can beat Sydney and then we-ll see what happens.
“We-ve just got to concentrate on our own performance this week.
“If we can go and beat Adelaide 2-0 then it-s all up to Sydney and the way Perth are playing at the minute, they can easily go to Sydney and win.
“It-s not doom and gloom yet, we-ve got the team to do it and the performances have been there of late, so hopefully we can get there.”
Carney believes the attacking intent shown by Newcastle in their 2-2 draw against Melbourne Victory, which saw them fire 20 shots at their opponent-s goal, indicates the Jets are capable of securing the desired result against Adelaide.
“I think performance-wise on Saturday, that was one of the best performances we-ve had since I arrived at the Club,” Carney said.
“If we can just take that into the next game, I think we-re more than capable of beating them by two goals or more.
“It-s fairly direct, but we-re playing some good football as well.
“If we can keep this sort of quality and get into the finals, I don-t think anyone would want to play us at the minute, because it-s coming together well.
“Unfortunately though it-s out of our hands now, so we-ve just got to hope for the best.”
Carney said surrendering leads to Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory in the dying stages of their past two matches could prove costly for the Jets- finals- hopes.
“I think sometimes you just need to slow the game down, keep possession and see games out,” Carney said.
“That-s five points dropped that could have been crucial, but it wasn-t meant to be.
“It-s disappointing for me knowing that we could only have one game left, because I feel like I-m just finding my rhythm now.
“Fitness wise I feel good, I feel like I-m getting better and better each game.
“Hopefully things can go our way this weekend and we get the chance to play in the finals.”
Newcastle Jets v Adelaide United
Friday, April 11
Hunter Stadium
Kick-off 7.30pm
Tickets available from PROticket.
