Ernie Merrick says Newcastle Jets have more firepower this season

Ernie Merrick has pronounced his Newcastle Jets team a superior attacking outfit to that which stormed into last year’s grand final.

Newcastle Jets coach Ernie Merrick. Picture: AAP

Ernie Merrick has pronounced his Newcastle Jets team a superior attacking outfit to that which stormed into last year’s grand final. Now they just have to find their shooting boots.

Veteran coach Merrick lamented some rusty finishing in their season-opening 2-1 loss to Wellington on Sunday, however, his long-term prognosis is positive. The team from Hunter have become the hunted and Merrick believes they’ve recruited well enough to cope with swollen expectations.

The return to full fitness of Ronny Vargas is the biggest coup after the brilliant Venezuelan playmaker missed most of last season with a broken leg. Merrick believes the 31-year-old can form a productive partnership with Newcastle’s goalscorer on Sunday, Socceroo Dimitri Petratos.

Around them are key attacking signings in ex-Victory winger Mitch Austin and two international forwards in Brazilian Jair and Englishman Kaine Sheppard. Fullback Jason Hoffman opened the campaign in a central forward role and Merrick plans to persist with that. The options will further open up when Roy O’Donovan returns from suspension and Joe Champness from injury, suggesting the Jets could surpass their 57-goal tally of last season.

“I think we’ve got a better squad, we’ve got more depth. I could never bring on strikers last year,” Merrick said. “And (Vargas) is an absolutely outstanding player. When he was involved, it looked like something was going to happen.

“He and Dimi have got a great understanding.”

AAP