Andrew Hoole says he is focused on maintaining a high level of play after an impressive performance against the Mariners.
Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets winger Andrew Hoole says he is focused on maintaining a high level of play after an impressive performance as a second-half substitute against the Central Coast Mariners last weekend.
Hoole, who had represented Australia at the AFC U-22 Championships in Oman during the week, was introduced to the action at the half-time interval of the F3 Derby with the Jets trailing 3-0.
While he couldn-t inspire a Newcastle come back, Hoole received plenty of praise from pundits as well as Jets head coach Clayton Zane for his enterprising play during a 45-minute stint on the right wing.
“I was a bit tried with the flight coming back to Australia and all that, but I obviously just tried to do as well as I could for the team when I got on,” Hoole said.
“It was a bit of a deficit we had to come back from and obviously from the team-s perspective it-s not the way we wanted the game to go.
“I had a bit of leeway when I went on and I just tried to be positive for the team and do the best I could.”
Hoole said he was not getting carried away with his impressive performance, instead focusing on continually improving each aspect of his game.
“I don-t think you ever find a spot, because if you have a few bad games you could be out of the team and that-s just how it is in football,” Hoole said.
“I think if you have a few good games, you might stay there for a while.
“It-s just about performing each week and doing as well as you can for the team.
“Your spot is never guaranteed, you have to keep high standards and keep working hard.
“Defensively I need to get a bit better in terms of being aware of what is happening in the game and in the front third I need to be a bit more potent in front of goal.”
Hoole said he was pleased to once again be playing under Zane, who coached him for two seasons in the National Youth League set-up.
“Clayton-s a great manager and obviously he-s worked overseas with QPR as well, so he-s got great knowledge,” Hoole said.
“He-s brought a new formation to the team with us playing more of a 4-4-2 now instead of a 4-3-3.
“I think the team is just going to have to adapt that over time and it-s not going to come straight away.
“In each formation there-s a structure and that-s something that the coach wants you to abide by.
“In the 4-4-2 I just think it-s about the four in the middle working hard and shuffling from side to side and making sure that we stay compact.
“We have two up front now, so obviously it might be a case where I look to be a bit more positive and come inside to link up with the front two.”
With the Jets facing a difficult test against the second-placed Western Sydney Wanderers at Hunter Stadium on Saturday, Hoole said it was important the Jets wasted no time finding their feet under Zane.
“It-s getting close to D-Day and we need to start getting results,” Hoole said.
“Obviously midway through the season it wasn-t really a problem, we were still nice and tight in the ladder, but now it-s a case where we really need to start getting results over the next couple of weeks.
“As an individual coming to the back end of the season, for any player you have to try and stand up for the Club and the town, perform each week and be as positive as you can.
“All the hard work you do on the training pitch has to be brought to game day.
“I-ll play the way I play and as an individual you always want to be aggressive and not take a backward step.”
Newcastle Jets v Western Sydney Wanderers
Hunter Stadium
Saturday, February 1
Kick-off 7.45pm
Tickets available from PROticket.
