Sam Gallaway believes the Jets are adapting well to playing with a three-man back line afters six weeks of pre-season training
Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets defender Sam Gallaway believes the Jets are adapting well to playing with a three-man back line following the conclusion of their first six-week block of pre-season training.
The Jets tested a 3-4-3 formation in their 3-0 win over Lake Macqaurie last Wednesday, with Gallaway lining up alongside Taylor Regan and Scott Neville in defence.
Gallaway said it is important the Jets feel comfortable with the new formation, to give them flexibility with their playing systems throughout the upcoming A-League season.
“We-ve worked a lot on playing three at the back at training since we got back from Singapore and I think we-ve adapted to it well over the first part of the pre-season,” Gallaway explained.
“Everyone is starting to understand their roles and I think we showed that in the pre-season game against Lake Macquarie.
“We were fairly solid defensively and kept our structure well. Obviously it will be a different test when we play A-League teams, but I think for now we-re making good progress.”
Gallaway also played 30 minutes of last Wednesday-s trial match against Lake Macquarie in a more attacking left wing-back role.
The defender made the most of his opportunity to play further up the park, scoring the Jets- first goal of the contest with a sharp finish past the goalkeeper.
“It was good to push on and play a different role,” Gallaway said.
“It was something different for me, I haven-t played that far up the park in a while and I finally scored a goal.
“I haven-t scored in who knows how long, probably a few years, so it was good to get my name on the scoresheet for once.”
The Jets are currently in the midst of a one-week break, before resuming their second six-week block of training next Monday.
Gallaway said he is looking forward to getting more trial matches under his belt.
“We had been training for six weeks and had a couple of games called off because of the rain, so it was just good to finally get out on the paddock against Lake Macquarie and have a game together as a team,” he said.
“At the moment we have a week off to recharge the batteries a bit and then we-re back into it with a few more trial games lined up.”
