Jets coach Ernie Merrick backs under-fire counterpart Warren Joyce

Newcastle coach Ernie Merrick has launched a staunch defence of Warren Joyce, shocked his under-fire Melbourne City counterpart’s job security is being questioned.

• Improved Riera execution could yet lift Wanderers
• Top 30 off-contract A-League players

Newcastle coach Ernie Merrick has launched a staunch defence of Warren Joyce, shocked his under-fire Melbourne City counterpart’s job security is being questioned.

The unexpected axing of Bruno Fornaroli for Saturday’s loss to Brisbane Roar has heaped pressure on Joyce and sparked speculation of a fallout with City’s star striker.

Fornaroli joins a list of high-profile players dropped during the coach’s 14-month tenure, including Tim Cahill, Neil Kilkenny, Fernando Brandan, Ross McCormack and Luke Brattan.

But the Uruguayan 31-year-old was reportedly cut due to Joyce's concern about his skinfold tests.

Merrick, whose Jets will come face to face with City at AAMI Park on Sunday, reminded Joyce’s detractors he’d guided the club to an all-time best third-place finish last season.

Melbourne City coach Warren Joyce came under fire for dropping star striker Bruno Fornaroli for Saturday’s match against Brisbane Roar. Picture: Getty Images

"I just can't believe the discussion about Warren Joyce's tenure and his security at the club,” Merrick said.

"From what I can gather Warren Joyce is not only a good coach, but in his first full season he took the club to the highest finish they've ever had.

"It was unlucky he was knocked out in the semi-finals by us and the scorpion kick but he did a great job. And that was just his first season, which was higher than all the coaches previously.

"Then because he lost one game it's all doom and gloom, and he's only currently two points away from second place in the league."

Newcastle Jets coach Ernie Merrick has come out in support of Melbourne City counterpart Warren Joyce. Picture: Getty Images

The question will be whether Fornaroli gets the nod on Sunday, when the Jets will aim to build on their first win of the season.

“Clearly he would be handy in anyone’s team, he’s a proven goalscorer” said in-form defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley.

“But what happens in their camp I can’t comment on because I wouldn’t know the slightest thing about it. If he plays or not we’ll still go out with the same game plan to play attacking football and win the game.”

Defender Daniel Georgievski and forward Jair are both in doubt after suffering slight groin and hip tears respectively, while Ronny Vargas picked up a niggle on the patchy Spotless Stadium pitch but is set to play.

"A lot of them have aches and pains because the ground was so hard,” Merrick said.

“If you've had an operation on an ankle which Ronny's had, and you're playing on a concrete carpark, you get a little soreness afterwards.”

Get every match of the 2018/19 Hyundai A-League LIVE. SIGN UP NOW!