It feels like an age since we’ve played at home, but on Wednesday night we’re back.
And what better way to welcome a return to Newy than a huge F3 Derby clash with the Central Coast Mariners?
LAWRIE: A message from the CEO
A win will be the perfect tonic to the Jets recent woes – here are five talking points we’ve picked out.
Back at home
It’s been a long three weeks on the road, three weeks exactly since we drew with Brisbane at home in our last game at McDonald Jones Stadium in fact.
Finally though, we’re back and a big chance of claiming another Central Coast scalp on Wednesday night.
With CEO, Lawrie McKinna calling on Jets Members and fans to come out in numbers and support the boys, the Club is hopeful of a big and boisterous crowd to help the side over the line.
Mixing up the XI
It’s been a tough run of games since the Christmas-New Year period, and the boss has indicated that changes are afoot for Wednesday night.
With only two players out unavailable and Sunday’s trip to Perth in mind, the question of who exactly will come in and go out becomes the pertinent one.
Merrick has made clear that the changes will be in the interest of maintaining match fitness and sharpness rather than because of performances, but that’s not to say that a standout showing from one of the men coming in couldn’t put a spanner in the works moving forward.
Suspensions starting and subsiding
The red card to Jason Hoffman in Saturday’s clash with Sydney has been widely labelled as ridiculous, but wasn’t overturned by the FFA and will see the versatile man miss Wednesday’s match.
One player who will go the other way and return from suspension is Daniel Georgievski, who has served his week off for yellow card accumulation.
It seems like a straight swap could be on the cards – is that how it’ll eventuate? It’s another one for Ernie to ponder.
F3 Derby dominance
We made history in December by winning the F3 Derby for the fourth match in a row, a first for either side in a fixture played almost 50 times.
With three points on Wednesday night, we could stretch our run over the Mariners out to five matches and make history once more.
Central Coast won’t be an easy beat though – they’ve picked up four points from their last two matches, and will be feeling confident.
Invigorated English goalscorer
After a breakout season in the Hyundai A-League, Kaine Sheppard has his future in Newy tied up.
With two goals and two assists to his name in his 11 appearances for the Jets, Kaine Sheppard has quickly become a favourite name among the Newcastle faithful.
Now, locked in at the Jets until at least the end of 2019/20, Sheppard has the opportunity to kick on and discover the potential which he no doubt has to make it at the highest level.
