Newcastle Jets defender Taylor Regan says the Jets are already focused on qualifying for the 2012/13 A-League finals.
Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets defender Taylor Regan says the Jets are already focused on going one better than last season and qualifying for the 2012/13 A-League finals.
The Jets suffered a 3-2 loss to Sydney FC on the last day of the regular season last year, which saw them finish seventh and miss the finals by just two competition points.
Regan said the disappointment from that match meant there was a strong determination amongst the Jets squad to make sure they are around come the business end of the upcoming season.
“In terms of goals and stuff we-ve been sitting down this morning and we-ve started to discuss a few goals and we-re all very confident we can go a long way this season,” Regan explained.
“Obviously we want to make the top six and go better than we did last year.
“We thought we underachieved with the squad we had and we think we-ve built a stronger squad this year, albeit a young one.”
Regan believes the Jets are assembling the pieces of a squad that could potentially challenge for silverware over the coming seasons.
“We want to be in the top six, push for the top four and improve individually,” he said.
“If we can keep this squad together for the next few years, there could be titles around the corner.”
After making 20 appearances for the Jets last season, including 14 starts, Regan said he is eager to claim one of the central defensive positions as his own in 2012/13.
“I-m 23 now so it-s time that I take on more of a leadership role with this young squad. I-ve spoken to Gary and that-s what he wants me to do,” he said.
“Hopefully I-ll have a strong pre-season, get some running in the legs, get confident and hopefully I can figure permanently in that back line.
“That-s where I play my best football and that-s the place where I want to impose myself the most, so hopefully over the next 12 months I can make that spot my own.”
Regan said he wasn-t surprised that the culture and playing style the Club was building under Gary van Egmond had proved to be a major draw-card for some of the A-League-s most promising talents.
“We-ve showed that we can attract the young players and Gary gives young players a go,” he said.
“The football that we play and the philosophy behind the way we play is positive – it-s about being an attacking side.
“So far it-s been a lot of young signings, but while they-re young they-re exciting and they-ve proven themselves at this level.
“I think there-s a few more signings to come and more mature players and it should be a good and very competitive squad.”
