Despite what is again shaping up as a disappointing season, the Newcastle Jets, in their first year under Rob Stanton, remain competitive with clear signs of green shoots on the field. Young players are showing promise, and Stanton, slowly but surely, is implementing his philosophy.
Lucas Mauragis has been one of Newcastle's better performers this season, notching one goal and an assist across 16 league appearances. (Image: Thomas Pombart)
The Newcastle Jets are on the cusp of recording another season that will see them finish outside the top six. Unfortunately for the embattled club, their off-field disappointments have matched their on-field exploits.
Rob Stanton's side has lacked any real consistency during the 2023/24 instalment of the A-League Men to accompany their seemingly endless search for an owner. However, the youthful exuberance of a squad that rates as the fourth youngest in the competition has shown signs of promise on multiple occasions this season.
The encouraging signs from Newcastle's young core, coupled with the ambition that both Stanton and his assistant, Damir Prodanovic, possess, point to a future on the pitch that Jets fans can look forward to with hope.
A home draw against a well-assembled Melbourne Victory squad, led by the accomplished Tony Popovic, is proof the Jets are still able to compete even against the top teams in the competition.
It is safe to say that even with 11 rounds still to play in the current season, the likelihood of the Jets getting anything from it is low.
Frustratingly for Newcastle, scoring goals has not been the issue, with the Jets averaging 1.6 goals per game. In contrast, defensive issues have scarred Stanton's debut season as an A-League Men head coach, with the Jets conceding an average of two goals per match, while only maintaining a mere three clean sheets all season.
With the squad as thin as it is young, defensive struggles come with the territory, with one example being the inexperienced yet positive partnership of Mark Natta with either one of Nathan Grimaldi or Phillip Cancar, who, despite showing positive signs, are still yet to settle as starters in the competition.
Mark Natta in action for the Newcastle Jets. (Image: Thomas Pombart)
However, Jets fans can take pride in Natta's development as one of the best young defenders in the competition. Natta has proven that he excels with the ball at his feet, completing 87% of his passes.
If Natta can improve his defensive timing, something he lacked at home against Victory, he could be in for a promising career. Ditto in the case of Lucas Mauragis, as his supreme talent is evident to all who take in Newcastle matches on a regular occasion.
Similar to Natta, Mauragis' game is built for the modern era, with an ability to dribble in tight areas, cut in, and deliver quality to his attackers, one of which is among the most clinical in the league.
The fullback may only be second to Clayton Taylor in the dribbling department as the former Sydney FC Academy talent has taken to the league like a duck to water, attracting the admiration of several European clubs in the most recent window.
Ironically, in and among all of their off-field and on-field issues, Newcastle has been at the centre of an exciting homecoming, with Apostolos Stamatelopoulos leading the line as well as anyone this season.
Only those with short memories will hold his two penalty misses on Saturday afternoon against him, as Stamatelopoulos eventually made good on the faith Stanton showed in him, firing home the equaliser off a classy Mauragis delivery in the 88th minute.
That takes the Adelaide native to 11 goals for the season, a mark only beaten by Bruno Fornaroli, who has recently added an Asian Cup quarter-final appearance to his CV.
Victory missed its premier goalscorer against the Jets, as Popovic's side was only able to make good on one of their 15 first-half shots. Victory's early dominance eventually did result in a 20th-minute goal as Roderick Miranda scored his first since April 2022.
While their opponents eventually went home disappointed, the importance of this result in keeping a glimmer of hope for Newcastle fans that they may see their team compete in the Finals Series for the first time since 2018 cannot be overshadowed.
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Whilst it has not been all doom and gloom this season, the Newcastle faithful are growing increasingly restless as KordaMentha's Christmas deadline for the club's sale has come and gone. Anyone can see the talent at Stanton's disposal is capable of much more than their performances suggest this season, but more may be needed for some fans to remain interested.
However, Stanton seems up to the challenge of identifying games against quality sides like the high-flying Victory as critical to the team and his development as a manager.
"I like those moments, under pressure. It makes me a better coach. I have to work really hard as a coach because we were chasing at the end. We got a deserved point in the end," Stanton shared after his side's stalemate against Victory.
The Newcastle Jets may not achieve the success necessary to see the crowds return and the A-League Men become a talking point in the Steel City, but fans should be encouraged to look beyond where the Jets end up on the league table come the end of April.
The signs are there, and once again the Novacastrian football die-hard is left to trust the process. The question is, how long will it take, and what metrics can pundits and football fans alike credibly critique? On what grounds is failure awarded? All of these questions emanating out of a draw against a Melbourne Victory side capable of winning it all are symptomatic of the precarious situation football in Newcastle finds itself in.
Fans of the embattled club have learned patience, and as that patience, donated in good faith to those who are handling the sale of the Jets, begins to wear thin, crowds may continue to suffer.
While the off-field issues remain a frustration, from a football perspective, the signs are there.
Stanton's philosophy is beginning to shine through and align himself with his players as they continue their developmental journey. This sort of cohesion, in the face of financial struggles, is a reminder that Stanton and his Jets will always be willing to compete, regardless of circumstances out of their control.
All statistics sourced from Sofascore.
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