Gary van Egmond believes there were a number of promising signs for the Jets in their 2-1 trial match win over the Mariners.
Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets head coach Gary van Egmond believes there were a number of promising signs for the Jets in their 2-1 trial match win over the Central Coast Mariners at Scully Park in Tamworth on Sunday.
In their final pre-season match against Hyundai A-League opposition, the Jets dominated the first half against an understrength Mariners outfit, with a brace from Craig Goodwin giving Newcastle a 2-0 lead at the break.
“The first half was good and we created a number of chances,” van Egmond said.
“In saying that the Mariners had a very young team, so we-d expect us to dominate the match and control the match as much as what we did in that first half.
“We probably could have scored a few more goals, which was disappointing, but overall it was good.”
Van Egmond was particularly pleased with the work of fullbacks Scott Neville and Sam Gallaway, with Neville providing the assist for both of Goodwin-s goals.
“We-ve been talking about the fullbacks and what their roles are at certain moments during the game, and it was good to see the likes of Scott and also Sam looking to get forward and link up in that front third,” Van Egmond explained.
“It was nice to see Scott venturing into that front third and sending in some high quality crosses that lead to goals.”
While van Egmond was pleased with the Jets- performance during the first 45 minutes of the contest, he said he had hoped to see more of a ruthless streak employed by the side during the second half.
“The second half I wasn-t happy with at all,” van Egmond said.
“There was too much complacency and we took our foot off the gas, which is something we need to address.”
Meanwhile, Jets forward Nathan Burns has recovered fully from a hamstring strain he suffered in the warm-up of the Jets- trial match against Melbourne Victory a fortnight ago.
Burns returned to training this morning and van Egmond indicated he will play in the Jets’ intra-club trial match on Thursday.
“He trained fully this morning and that was his first full field session since the injury, so from that perspective it was excellent,” van Egmond said.
“We-ll get a good 45 to 60 minutes out of him on Thursday and that will make him cherry ripe for next week.”
With only 11 days remaining until the Jets- season opener against Sydney FC on October 11, van Egmond said he is pleased with where his side is at.
“It was a bit of a set-back with the two injuries, in particular to Emile,” van Egmond said.
“That aside, from a fitness point of view, from a tactical point of view, from the boys in regards to their confidence and really buying into everything – we-re very happy with how we-re placed.”
