A-League Preview: Newcastle Jets - North Queensland Fury

No Points For Pretty Football

There’s no doubt that the Jets can be one of the most attractive sides in the league but unfortunately for Culina’s hastily-assembled band of footballers, there are no rewards for aesthetics.

Some rather poor defending at times and a problem with finishing that is gradually being addressed by the strike pairing of Labinot Haliti and Michael Bridges has seen the team from one of Australia’s proudest football cities struggle this season.

Yet the presence of the likes of Ljubo Milicevic, Fabio Vignaroli and brilliant Korean import Song alludes to an unfulfilled promise that really should be seeing this team at least challenge for finals football.

Culina though will need time to bring together the varied and unique pieces of a frustrating jigsaw puzzle.

Transformed

Search out footage of the Fury’s first few games of their A-League existence and compare them to the performances produced over the last few weeks.

Two consecutive victories – their first ever wins in the competition – might have some speaking of a shock push for finals football after there were rather insulting early-season suggestions that they receive a helping hand from the FFA with regards to player recruitment.

The form of Robbie Fowler has on its own carried the club, the Liverpool legend edging closer to becoming the league’s top scorer every week whilst inspiring those around him, namely the likes of Daniel McBreen and an increasingly impressive defensive line.

Perhaps Ian Ferguson isn’t such a bad manager after all?

FORM GUIDE

Newcastle Jets

Oct 5.  Adelaide United 1-1 Newcastle Jets
Oct 18.  Newcastle Jets 1-3 Melbourne Victory
Oct 23.  Newcastle Jets 2-1 Central Coast Mariners
Oct 30.  Brisbane Roar 1-1 Newcastle Jets
Nov 4.  Wellington Phoenix 3-0 Newcastle Jets

North Queensland Fury

Oct 3.  Perth Glory 1-1 North Queensland
Oct 11.  Central Coast Mariners 1-1 North Queensland Fury
Oct 17.  North Queensland Fury 1-1 Wellington Phoenix
Oct 24.  North Queensland Fury 2-1 Perth Glory
Oct 31.  Gold Coast United 0-2 North Queensland Fury

TEAM NEWS

Newcastle Jets

In: Adam D’Apuzzo (returns from suspension), Donny De Groot (promoted), Sean Rooney (returns from injury), Fabio Vignaroli (returns from injury)
Out: Nil

Possible Line-up (4-3-1-2): Kennedy, Elrich, Milicevic, Costanzo, Topor-Stanley, Thompson, Patafta, Wheelhouse, Song, Bridges, Haliti

North Queensland Fury

In: Nil
Out: Nil

Possible Line-up (4-4-2): Henderson, Tadrosse, Tambouras, Griffiths, Grossman, Williams, Spagnuolo, Robinson, Malik, McBreen, Fowler

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Jin-Hyung Song (Newcastle Jets) – The Korean import is the creative heart of Culina’s side and skirts around the final third to outstanding effect. Will need to start servicing the likes of Haliti and Bridge frequently to inspire his side to a finals push.

Robbie Fowler (North Queensland Fury) – A no-brainer really and the same answer to the “Which player to watch?” segment nearly every week. His side’s leading goal-scorer and the focal point to everything good about them in the past few weeks, has carried them thus far this season and inspired those around him in the process.

PREDICTION

It’ll be a tight one but the Fury have looked capable on the road recently and the Jets haven’t had a killer edge at home, where crowds have been disappointing. The latter will be able to walk away with a point here.

Newcastle Jets 2-2 North Queensland Fury

Chris Paraskevas, Goal.com

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