Culina flags safe Jets approach Newcastle wary for Perth trip
BY JAMES GARDINER
21 Aug, 2010 04:00 AM
COACH Branko Culina hinted that the Newcastle Jets could take a more conservative approach against Perth Glory at NIB Stadium today.

The Jets have come out firing in the opening two games of the A-League season.

Despite scoring only one goal, they have taken 28 shots, equal top with Sydney, and moved the ball with pace and purpose.

But the loss of in-form defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley has caused a rethink and Culina may be reluctant to commit as many players forward.

"You are losing a key player and you do have to consider your options," Culina said.

"With Nikolai at the back, we have been pretty good. He and Ljubo have been a tower of strength.

"Whether it be Ben Kantarovski or young Taylor Regan who comes in [to central defence] they are not as experienced, so we might have to be a bit more cautious in other areas.

"It does change things."

The Jets trained in Perth yesterday but Culina said he will not finalise a starting side until this morning.

Ruben Zadkovich and Jobe Wheelhouse have slight groin problems. Tarek Elrich is now fully recovered from groin surgery and in the mix for the starting XI.

"Tarek might play even if Ruben is included," Culina said.

"I will have a think about it overnight. I might be a bit more conservative or I might say, 'Stuff them, let's just play our normal game.' "

The Jets have a horrendous record in Perth, where they have recorded one win in eight trips, but Milicevic was adamant they had nothing to fear.

"I think it is about time we went over there and won and show everyone we are a force to be reckoned with this season," said Milicevic, who played two seasons with Perth in the former national league.

"When I used to play there, the crowd got right behind the team and really spurred you on. They are quite loud and parochial.

"But life is too short for minor details. We have to get out there and get stuck in.

"If they want to be physical it is up to guys like myself, Kasey [Wehrman] and Bridgey [Michael Bridges] to lead the team and be just as physical."

The Jets have the bye next round and will be desperate to get something from today's game and avoid having only two points after four rounds.

Bridges well aware of threat Fowler poses
BY JAMES GARDINER
21 Aug, 2010 04:00 AM
JETS captain Michael Bridges spent the best part of three seasons playing alongside Robbie Fowler at Leeds United.

The duo were part of a power-packed strike force that included Australian stars Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell.

A hip problem restricted Fowler to 30 league appearances during his stay at Elland Road, but the man known as God still managed 14 goals at the phenomenal rate of a goal every second game.

Seven years older and seven years slower, Fowler has lost none of his predatory instincts or sublime skill.

"He doesn't have the pace he used to have but he is a hell of a footballer and a real danger," Bridges said.

"He hasn't scored for Perth yet. Let's make sure this is not the game where he does go wild."

Fowler played as a lone striker in the 2-0 win over Melbourne Victory last round but at home is expected to be joined up front by Mile Sterjovski.

"If all eyes focus on Robbie and trying to stop him scoring, he will flick the ball to someone else and they will score the goal," Bridges said. "Robbie has great touch and if you get too tight he will roll you.

"Defensively we are a lot more organised this season.

"Sergio van Dijk was a threat for Adelaide, but he was not up for it. The big guy [Gerald] Sibon for Melbourne Heart, we proved we can keep him quiet.

"I don't think Robbie scored against us last season. Fingers crossed we can do a job and keep him quiet again."

Bridges is good friends with Fowler and tried to get him to Newcastle after the Fury went into administration.

"I showed him around the area and he loved it," Bridges said. "Financially it was too far from the Jets' radar."

Bridges will again lead the line for the Jets, a job he did to great effect in the 1-all draw with the Heart.

"I was given a licence to float in the first game but it didn't feel like we had an out-and-out target man," Bridges said.

"If they try and muscle me hopefully I can slip the ball through to [Jeremy] Brockie, Ali [Abbas] and Marko [Jesic]. I think we can cause them a lot of problems."

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-----------Brockie-----------
Abbas------Bridges------Jesic
-----Kasey---------Jobe------
Puzz---Kanta---Ljubo---Elrich
----------Kennedy------------

You don't happen to be the guy that was sitting above the squadron and your mates in the squadron rung you and were calling you a dog a something along those line?

I wish, I wish.

Went up to newy after work on friday (finished work at 5), got to my parents place and left the camera there while stopping for dinner. almost killed myself.

Im really sorry though. i wish i did cause you guys looked awesome from where i was sitting. Really good turn out from the novos.

Test for Jets' new defence: Topor-Stanley to miss Glory clash
BY ROBERT DILLON
20 Aug, 2010 04:00 AM

NEWCASTLE'S defensive resolve faces an early-season test when Jets coach Branko Culina fields a new-look back four in tomorrow's third-round clash with Perth Glory.

Central defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley stayed in Newcastle when his teammates flew west yesterday after being ruled out with a hamstring problem.

Young Socceroos star Ben Kantarovski is expected to switch from midfield to the back to deputise for Topor-Stanley, though Taylor Regan, who is yet to make his A-League debut, is in Newcastle's 15-man touring party.

In addition, Culina appears set to reinstate Tarek Elrich at right back and relegate versatile Ruben Zadkovich to the bench.

Elrich was a mainstay in that role for almost four years but after off-season groin surgery his only contribution this season has been nine minutes as substitute in last week's 1-1 draw with Melbourne Heart.

Having conceded one goal in their first two games of the season - a self-inflicted effort from Kantarovski - Newcastle's defence has been receiving rave reviews.

Culina said the absence of former Socceroo Topor-Stanley would stretch the Jets' resources regardless of how well-drilled his troops were, against Perth, who lead the table and have scored five goals in two games.

"You can be as organised and disciplined as you like but when you lose a key player in a team and you don't have another one to replace him, there's always a little bit of concern," Culina said yesterday.

"That's the problem you are always going to face during the course of the year and that's why it's important to have some depth in your squad, albeit not of the same quality."

Culina said he had not settled on a line-up and would "sleep on it" before a light training run in Perth today.

But there were indications that Zadkovich would make way for Elrich, who has been waiting impatiently for the chance to regain his starting berth.

Hard-working Jobe Wheelhouse, who has been used twice on the bench, is expected to replace Kantarovski in midfield.

"It [Topor-Stanley's injury] does cause us to rethink about the way we want to play and the personnel . . . we'll make some changes," Culina said.

"Firstly because we're away from home and the Nikolai situation and also because of the type of game we want to play against Perth."

The coach said Regan, a home-grown 21-year-old, was a chance of receiving his first A-League game time.

"He's always been groomed to take over, if need be, and sometimes you throw them in at the deep end and see how they go," he said.

Topor-Stanley said an MRI scan on Wednesday did not show a tear in his hamstring but Newcastle's medical staff advised him to err on the side of caution.

"They keep reminding me of the risks," he said.

"Fabio Vignaroli had a similar thing last year and he kept pushing it and tore it even worse and it took him 11 weeks to get back.

"That's not something that I want."

Hey Backmac, did you get any shots of the Squadron on Friday?

He's already signed

We need you: Culina pleads for massive Jets turnout
BY JOSH LEESON
13 Aug, 2010 04:00 AM
JETS coach Branko Culina appealed last night for Newcastle football fans to turn out in droves tonight for the club’s opening home game of the season against A-League newcomers Melbourne Heart.
Last season the Jets had an average crowd of 6340 at EnergyAustralia Stadium – the lowest in their five-year history – despite playing some quality football and finishing two wins from the grand final.

One of the complaints from fans was the spate of Sunday afternoon games.

Jets management obliged by asking the Football Federation Australia for more night matches, and tonight the fans have the chance to respond with their feet.

‘‘The message I’d like to send is, ‘We need you, and we desperately want to be able to show you what we can do,’’’ Culina said.

‘‘At some stages last year it was a little disappointing, but having said that, those that do come have been terrific and let’s hope they not only continue to come in numbers but support us the way they have.’’

The Jets have enjoyed their most positive off-season in years.

The build-up has been devoid of scandal or major injury and some quality new additions in former Socceroo Kasey Wehrman, All White Jeremy Brockie and Olyroo Ruben Zadkovich have been made.

Last Friday the Jets made a pleasing start to the season in their goalless draw against Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium, but Culina knows more is needed in front of the EAS faithful.

‘‘You want to win your first home game without any doubt,’’ he said.

‘‘You win home games you get bums on seats, you set yourself up because it’s almost a guarantee that if you win all your home games you make the semi-finals.’’

Last night the Jets trained for the first time this season on EAS.

The pitch attracted plenty of criticism from the club last season after marquee man Fabio Vignaroli snapped the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee on the loose surface playing against the Gold Coast in round 18.

The Newcastle Knights played Canterbury on the ground last Sunday and wet weather has plagued the city in recent weeks. Despite this, Culina was impressed with the EAS pitch.

‘‘I think management has done the best they could considering rugby is still played on it, so it’s not easy when you have two different codes on it,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s not as bad as it was at some stages last year, in fact, the groundsman has done a top job.’’

The pitch could be a deciding factor as both sides like to play attractive football.

Heart coach John John van’t Schip has expressed his desire to play possession-based football, while the Jets have always been known for their passing game.

‘‘We were the top away team last year in terms of possession. We were the only team to have 52 per cent of possession,’’ Culina said. ‘‘Even though they [Heart] lost they had more possession [against Central Coast last week], so obviously both teams enjoy being on the ball and we’ll try to make sure they don’t have an enjoyable time when they are on the ball.’’

The only team change from last Friday’s draw is Kiwi World Cup member Brockie, who is poised to make his starting debut for the Jets in place of the injured Sean Rooney.

While traditionally a wide midfielder, Culina experimented with Brockie at the point in their final training session last night.

‘‘He’s not necessarily a wide player, I think he can play centrally,’’ Culina said.

‘‘In fact, I think he could be a very good striker because he has a bit of strength and a bit of speed so it’s an option for us because Rooney is not available.’’

Culina said other options for the lone striker role in the 4-2-3-1 formation were Labinot Haliti and Marko Jesic.

Central defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley appeared to be over his quadriceps injury and trained at full capacity last night, while crowd favourite Tarek Elrich is expected to return to play his first match of the season from the bench.

AAP reports: Heart goalkeeper Clint Bolton admits it is crucial that the fledgling A-League club achieve quick results and he hopes it is as soon as tonight’s clash with Newcastle.

The Heart drew a respectable 11,000 and attracted plenty of attention for their debut last week, a loss to Central Coast in Melbourne.

But they travel out of Melbourne’s sporting glare for their next two matches and need something out of the games against the Jets and Adelaide United to ensure the same level of support for their return home later this month.

‘‘We’re a new team,’’ Bolton said. ‘‘Results are important. It’s a long season but if you start poorly, it’s hard to get back.’’

? Valentine Phoenix downed Toronto 5-0 in a catch-up game on Wednesday night and last night Edgeworth defeated Broadmeadow Magic 2-0 at Jack McLaughlan Oval.