“It’s lovely to see wide people taking on players and beating them and getting crosses in…” Gary van Egmond said.
In the Newcastle Jets 2-1 win over Sydney FC at Hunter Stadium on Saturday night, two standout performers were young forwards Craig Goodwin and James Virgili.
Virgili, 20, earned the free kick in the 13th minute that Goodwin, 21, sensationally converted from an acute angle to give the Jets a 1-0 lead. Virgili then set up Emile Heskey in the 26th minute, after some great footwork and pace, to give the Jets a 2-goal buffer.
“It-s lovely to see wide people taking on players and beating them and getting crosses in and really trying to set the central strikers up,” coach Gary van Egmond said about the young duo.
There is a good chance Goodwin and Virgili will once again be in the starting XI after such a performance, but the coach is adamant he won-t overburden his young players.
“People probably look at it and think how come you don-t play them every week,” van Egmond added.
“We-ve got to ensure that mentally they-re okay as well.
“They can get burnt out, some of these younger ones, so you just have to make sure you see the signs and balance that.
“We have got other players who can come into those positions as well, so it puts us in good stead.
“But right at this moment they deserve to play.
“As you can see, they-re very effective in their roles, so they-ve earned their spot.”
The Jets travel to Melbourne on Thursday for Friday night-s Round 13 clash with Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park. The team will stay in Melbourne until their New Year-s Day clash with Melbourne Heart.
