Newcastle coach Ernie Merrick concedes Jets can’t catch Sydney FC in race for Premier’s Plate
THEY might be closest to Sydney FC on the A-League ladder, but Newcastle Jets coach Ernie Merrick can’t see anyone challenging the Sky Blues for top spot.
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HIS team might be the closest to Sydney FC on the A-League ladder, but Newcastle Jets coach Ernie Merrick can’t see anyone challenging the Sky Blues for top spot.
The Jets came away with a 2-2 draw against Melbourne City on Thursday night, a result that keeps them second on the ladder, but Merrick says his aim is still to finish in the top four.
“The best team all season has been Sydney and I don’t think anyone is going to challenge them for the Premier’s Plate, but we want to finish in the top four,” Merrick said.
“I actually wanted to finish in the top six at the beginning of the year, but the players insisted they could do better than that, so we’re on target to do that. To keep a gap is always good to be able to maintain that position.
“To keep City four points away from us is good for us; it sets us up well for our game against Melbourne Victory with Roy O’Donovan and Dimi Petratos back.”
Petratos missed the game against City after his wife went into labour as the Jets arrived in Melbourne, so Merrick was forced into some late changes.
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Given the players he had available, plus Steven Ugarkovic’s incredible clearance off the Jets’ goal line in the 90th minute, Merrick was pleased with the result.
He also thought debutant Riley McGree made an immediate impact when he came off the bench.
“Riley McGree was a major contributor in the midfield, he set up that second goal, so throwing in some younger players really worked for us,” Merrick said.
“I thought it was a good performance considering who we had available. The two-all certainly suits us. Melbourne City were bit unlucky not to get more out of the first half because they dominated, but when I made a change and brought on Lachlan Jackson and Riley McGree we really started playing through the midfield and created a lot of chances.”