No panic at Newcastle Jets despite poor haul from opening rounds

Despite a poor return from three matches, Newcastle Jets players and coaches remain upbeat about their performances.

Newcastle captain Nigel Boogaard reacts after the Jets’ loss to Melbourne Victory on Saturday. Picture: AAP

They are bottom of the table, six competition points, nine spots and seven goals worse off than at the same stage last year, but suggestions Newcastle Jets might be starting to panic about their start to this season’s A-League ­ could not be further from the truth.

Talk to coach Ernie Merrick and his assistant Clayton Zane and it is just the opposite — the confidence and belief in the ability of their players to bounce back quickly from a winless three games remains as strong as ever.

While the comparative figures are not great, Zane does not believe the Jets are far off from where they were at this point last season, despite earning just a point from a draw and two losses.

Saturday night’s 1-0 loss to Melbourne Victory, the side they lost to by the same margin in last season’s grand final, showed up the fact the Jets are lacking ­potency in front of goal, with Roy O’Donovan sidelined through a lengthy suspension and new ­attacker, the Brazilian Jair, taking time to find his fitness and getting used to his teammates and surroundings.

But there is no frustration among the coaching group or the players as they prepare for another blockbuster game against unbeaten competition leaders Sydney FC at home on Saturday.

“We have felt we have grown across the board in all three games this season. Against Wellington it was a decent hit-out, against Adelaide we showed more signs of better things to come and on the weekend we were near flawless,” Zane said yesterday.

“Sure, last season at this point in time we had more goals, but we are playing well. The defence is doing a marvellous job, we have had good control in the midfield and it is only a matter of getting the ball into the net.”

Zane admitted the players are feeling some frustration at not being able to score freely, but he sees that as a good thing rather than a negative.

“We actually want that frustration in the players because it shows they care and want to change things,” he said.

“We have every confidence in the players we have. With Dimi (Petratos), Ronny (Vargas) and Hoff (Jason Hoffman) we know they have goals in them.

“And we know Jair has proven overseas than he can score goals at a level equal or better than the one he is playing in now.

“The thing is, we are getting into some very good areas in our games. Against Melbourne Victory they had eight blocked shots so that shows the level of the desperation in their defending.

“We don’t see the front third as our only problem. For us it is just about getting a bit of luck, scoring that early goal and making teams come out and play against us a bit earlier. We are not far off the mark.”

The situation, however, doesn’t get any easier for Newcastle, who face Sydney FC fresh off a 3-0 win over Melbourne City on Saturday. The Sky Blues might not have Bobo or Adrian Mierzejewski this season but they have filled the gaps superbly.

Englishman Adam le Fondre in particular has shown his worth with four goals in three games, including a brace against City.

It’s the reason Zane quickly dismissed any suggestions ­Sydney might not be on par with the side that won back-to-back Premiers’ Plates last season.