Jets focused on nullifying potent Sydney attack

Every Newcastle Jets player will need to defend on Friday if they're to stand any chance of stopping Sydney FC's rampant strike force, coach Phil Stubbins says.

Newcastle Jets Phil Stubbins Western Sydney Wanderers

Newcastle Jets' coach Phil Stubbins (right) Source: AAP

The Sky Blues travel to Hunter Stadium on Friday fresh from the heart-stopping 4-3 win over Western Sydney last week, where they scored their 19th goal in just five games.

Marquee striker Marc Janko has been at the centre of all the action, netting eight of them himself to climb to the top of the league's goalscorers' list with 12 for the season.

Should he get one past the Jets on Friday he'll equal the league record of scoring in six consecutive games.

And Stubbins, whose side has still only posted one win this season, knows the Jets will be up against it: "Tomorrow we're all going to have to be working our absolute socks off from the front line and that will help the back line," he said on Thursday.

"If we all work as a team defensively hopefully that's going to be enough to limit Sydney's opportunities."

In good news for the Jets they'll have exciting young talent Andrew Hoole and Ben Kantarovski back from suspension while new Serbian recruit Enver Alivodic has already slotted in well after debuting last week.

Sitting at ninth on the ladder and desperate to break its eight-game winless run, Stubbins' side has shown some promising signs in its past few outings.

And Stubbins knows matching it with a red-hot Sydney would be the ultimate proof things are on the up.

"I think we've all got something to prove against Sydney, they're a very good side at the moment and probably close to title favourites," he said.

"Arnie has got a bag of riches in the front third to choose from.

"But our boys are focused on the job at hand and we're going to be going out there ready for the contest."

The Sky Blues will also be forced into at least a couple of changes with both left-back Alex Gersbach and midfielder Mickael Tavares suspended.

While Terry Antonis will be a direct replacement for Tavares, Arnold has a few options in defence.

Matt Jurman could be shifted to left-back with Sebastian Ryall partnering Nikola Petkovic in the centre of defence with either Rhyan Grant or Aaron Calver on the right.


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2 min read
Published 5 March 2015 7:10pm
Updated 5 March 2015 10:03pm

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