In this week’s edition of Jets Insider, Gary van Egmond answered questions submitted by the Club’s Members and supporters.
In this week-s edition of Jets Insider, head coach Gary van Egmond answered questions submitted by the Club-s Members and supporters.
Van Egmond discussed the Jets- recent form, the challenges ahead for the rest of the season and his satisfaction with the re-signing of some of the Jets- rising stars.
Colin Rodriguez asks via email: Last weekend-s result aside, what do you think the major factors have been for our impressive run of form lately?
Gary van Egmond (GvE): I just think the boys have been working really hard and they-ve grinded out results where maybe previously we might not have done. The players have been working really working hard to ensure we stay in the game, even during periods when we don-t have so much of the ball.
I also think that in the last few weeks when we-ve had chances to score, the front boys have done a really good job of taking them.
@platinum_ekim asks via Twitter: Gary, will the @NewcastleJetsFC have an opportunity for fans in Melbourne to watch the team train before this weeks game?
GvE: Our last training session before the game will be in Newcastle on Saturday, so unfortunately not. In saying that, on the morning of the game we usually go for a walk as a team along the Yarra, so if the fans want to catch up with us then, they-re more than welcome to.
@Stephen76 asks via Twitter: Have we scaled back our possession game to create more attacking chances? Noticed a big difference in passes.
GvE: It-s more a case of trying to keep our defensive line intact and not allowing the opposition to have as many scoring opportunities.
When you play a higher line, your rest defence becomes critical and there is a bigger danger of being caught out on the counter attack.
We-ve looked at it from a tactical sense and there are times where we will look to play a higher line, but for the mainstay we-re really trying to ensure we keep our defensive shape intact.
Nathan Jones asks via email: Is it pleasing to see a number of our current players committing to the Club for next season and beyond?
GvE: We-ve invested in some of these younger players for a couple of years now and it-s really good to see that they-re starting to become more consistent in their play and that-s what we want.
It would have been disappointing if we had of let a number of these promising young players go given all the work we put in, so it-s great to see that they-ve re-signed with the Jets.
Carrie Paul asks via email: What-s the biggest challenge we face in order to keep our spot in the top six?
GvE: We just need to ensure we keep playing consistently, have a good work ethic and keep ourselves in games by not conceding silly goals, which up until now has been pretty good.
I think we-ll continue to create opportunities to score with the front third that we have, so if we can stop ourselves from conceding, we-ll always give ourselves a chance to win.
Noel Jones asks via email: What do you feel is the best way to use Heskey and Taggart together?
GvE: Looking back on the game against Sydney, I felt like we might have lacked an extra midfielder with Taggs and Emile playing together up front, so it-s important to try and get that balance between the midfield and the front third right.
We have the option of using Taggs in a wider area as well, which is something we will look at, but it can also depend on the opposition and how they structure themselves defensively and if we-re playing at home or away.
@Stephen76 asks via Twitter: Gary, when will Bridges get more game time? We play better when @MickyBridges8 starts. We saw that last year.
GvE: Bridgey is obviously a very talented player and we have a number of talented players in our squad. However, our results recently have sort of dictated that we stick with the team that has been doing well.
We-re under no illusion about the qualities Bridgey brings to our squad, but at the moment we have to reward the players who have been doing a good job for us in recent matches.
Chris Smart asks via email: How important is this stretch of games before Christmas against the Victory, Wanderers and Roar?
GvE: It-s very important because we-ve got a great opportunity to give ourselves a good platform for the New Year, so it-s important that we keep on picking up points.
We-ve got two of the big guns in Melbourne and Brisbane away and the reigning Premiers, the Wanderers, at home, so it doesn-t get much harder than that in regards to that stretch of games, so it will be a good chance to test ourselves.
Jessie Sanders asks via email: What are your thoughts on Ange Postecoglu, a former A-League coach, being appointed to the Socceroos job?
GvE: I think it-s absolutely fantastic and it-s great to see an Australian coach get that opportunity. Ange has worked hard to earn this chance and he-s thoroughly deserved it, so I hope he has some real success with it.
Alex Fisher asks via email: What was your message to the boys when the team was struggling to score at the start of the season?
GvE: I just told them to keep working hard, because it wasn-t as if we weren-t creating opportunities, it was more so the case that we weren-t taking them.
Once we got the first one, I think the boys gained a lot of confidence from that and you can see that from they way they have competed in recent weeks.
@lquiquer asks via Twitter: Hi Gary, would you personally wish @NewcastleJetsFC would sign @RyuGriff for the rest of the season.
GvE: I was really happy to have Ryan here at the Club, but he chose to go elsewhere and I-m not sure if he would want to return to the Jets, but wherever he ends up playing, we wish him the best.
Thank you for all your Jets Insider questions! Make sure you follow @NewcastleJetsFC on Twitter to find out who will be answering questions from Members and supporters next week!
