Gary van Egmond says he is looking for more consistency from his side following their 1-0 loss to Adelaide United on Sunday.
Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets head coach Gary van Egmond says he is looking for more consistency from his side following their 1-0 loss to Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium on Sunday.
The Jets had defeated league-leaders Brisbane Roar 2-0 at Suncorp Stadium a week earlier, but were unable to account for the eighth-placed Reds on Sunday.
Van Egmond said he is keen to iron out the side’s week-to-week inconsistency.
“That is also an issue for us,” he said.
“We’ve gone away to Victory and beaten them, (and) we’ve been to Brisbane and beaten them.
“As you know, they’re probably second and third in terms of teams that are most likely in this competition.
“Ostensibly, it’s a fairly young squad and they’re still trying to find a way of getting more consistency week in week out.
“That comes from experience.”
Van Egmond was also disappointed with his side’s inability to capitalise on some encouraging attacking forays against Adelaide.
“In the first half Adelaide seemed to control more of the game,” van Egmond said.
“In the second half they tried to protect their lead a little bit more and we started take more of the ascendancy.
“We didn’t do a great deal with it in the final third – we didn’t really create what I would say were clear-cut chances.
“We missed the moment and then we got countered.
“We’ve got more work to do in that front third, for sure.”
Despite lacking the quality needed on the night to win the contest, Van Egmond said the effort shown by his players was one positive he could take out of the match.
“All-in-all I was very proud of the boys and the effort they put in,” van Egmond said.
“We got beaten 1-0, but by the same token, the boys never shirked the game at all and they really gave 100 per cent.”
After playing four of their last five matches on the road, the Jets return to Hunter Stadium this Saturday when they take on Perth Glory.
Newcastle Jets v Perth Glory
Saturday, January 4
Hunter Stadium
Kick-off 5.30pm
Tickets available from PROticket.
