Zenon Caravella believes getting consistent minutes in the Jets’ starting XI has allowed him to flourish in recent weeks.
Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets midfielder Zenon Caravella believes getting consistent minutes in the Jets- starting XI has allowed him to flourish in the centre of the park in recent weeks.
After only making a handful of appearances for the Jets during the first half of the season, Caravella has started five of the past six Hyundai A-League fixtures and has been one of the Jets- most consistent performers during that period.
“It had been a while since I played, so I-m just happy to be back playing again and contributing to the team,” Caravella said.
“I started playing regularly a few weeks ago and I-m enjoying myself.
“It-s frustrating when you don-t play, so when you get the chance to play again, it-s always enjoyable.”
Caravella set up the Jets- opening goal against Wellington Phoenix last weekend with an industrious run out of the midfield and a perfectly weighted through ball for Craig Goodwin, who finished with aplomb.
The former Adelaide United man said he was enjoying the opportunity to get forward more in the new playing system implemented interim head coach Clayton Zane.
“We-ve changed it slightly to a 4-4-2, but I think I can fit in anywhere in the midfield, so it-s just a matter of getting game time and playing regularly, it-s the same for everyone,” Caravella said.
“I-ve always played as an attacking type midfielder, and we do get a licence to go forward as well.
“It-s just more so in this formation, you have to pick the time when you go.
“At the moment I-m enjoying working forward and working back, so it-s good.”
Caravella said that while the Jets were under no illusions as to the difficulty of the task facing them against Brisbane Roar this Sunday, they would take confidence from the performances against the competition leaders earlier in the season.
“We-ve been up there before and we won and did quite well,” Caravella said.
“Obviously we need to improve certain parts of our game from last week, but the confidence is still there and we know we-ve got the players to do it.
“We know they-re a team that are very difficult to stay with, they-re very mobile, but in saying that, we know their weaknesses as well.
“They-ve basically had the same team for the past four seasons, so it-s a good thing for us knowing what they do and what they-re about.
“We-ve beaten them twice this season now, so they-re going to be coming out firing because they want to stay at the top of the league, so it-ll be a tough game and it always is against them.”
Despite currently sitting in ninth position on the Hyundai A-League ladder, Caravella said the Jets are still confident of bridging the gap to the top six and qualifying for the Finals Series.
“We know that in the A-League if you win a couple of games, you can jump straight up there again,” Caravella said.
“We-re just taking it week-to-week and if we can get three points on Sunday, it-s a step into the top six.”
