Newcastle Jets News

Van Egmond will be feeling the pressure tonight as the Jets face Perth Glory tonight. Newcastle have had a very slow start this season and cannot seem to hit their straps. In an effort to change things around, Van Egmond has dropped Danish midfielder Jesper Hakansson, and replaced him with Newcastle Jets youngster, Jesse Pinto.

Perth Glory have recently started to gain some momentum and are clearly the most improved team over the last few weeks.

Bottom of the table clashes are always just as exciting as top of the table matches and both teams will surely dig deep in an attempt to avoid last place.

Other Match Previews:

• 2008/2009 Hyundai A-League
  Season 4 Round 11

The big news this week for Newcastle Jets was the signing of Olyroos Skipper, Mark Milligan. Milligan has ended 8 months of speculation by agreeing to a 7 match replacement player contract this season, and will join the Jets fulltime next season. Milligan is said to be keen to play in the A-League again and is tipped to get a start in the midfield. Miiligan has been cleared to play against the Mariners and is already being targeted as a threat by opposition clubs.

In other contract news, local Newcastle boy, Jobe Wheelhouse has signed on for another 2 years with the Jets. And former Sydney FC Assisitant boss, Ian Crook, has returned to Newcastle on a 3 year contract to help the club prepare for the Asian Champions League next year.

James Holland, Marko Jesic, Ben Kantarovski and Jason Naidovski have been selected in the Young Socceroos squad for the AFC U19 Championships. Congratulations boys!

Edmundo Zura has confirmed that he has no intentions of leaving Newcastle Jets. Last weeks public comments from Van Egmond seems to have sparked an attitude change in the Ecuadorian who says he wants to do well for the Jets. Zura has found it difficult to settle in Australia due to language and culture differences. Zura played well last week against Melbourne and generally looked lively.

Despite the current financial crisis, the Jets recent form has seen Centerbets betting for Newcastle rise.

Good week for the Newcastle Jets! Finally things look like they are heading in the right direction.

Newcastle Jets National Youth League team have lost 3-0 to Queensland despite fielding first team players, Michael Zullo and Robbie Kruse.

Van Egmond is concerned that Australian Under 19s Captain, James Holland, may be burning out.

Newcastle Jets coach, Gary van Egmond is hoping that Aurelio Vidmar can offer some advice in preparing for the Asian Champions League. He is also happy that Joel Griffiths has decided to commit to the club as he thinks this will send out a positive message to potential new signings.

Piorkowski only has three more guaranteed weeks at Newcastle Jets and will have to perform well against his old club Melbourne Victory to sure up his future at the Jets.

Jets are keen about signing Mark Milligan but they do not have much capacity to do it this year so if he signs up we may not see him in a gold strip until next season.

Van Egmond is concerned about Zura’s recent form and development and is expecting more from the Ecuadorian striker in the next few weeks.

Newcastle Jets National Youth League team has secured their first points after drawing with Adelaide 0-0.

Van Egmond thinks that last weeks loss to Adelaide was a turning point for the Jets and that team morale is positive.

Just as the Jets were looking at turning around their season, they have been struck down by injuries all over the park. With Joel Griffiths out for a few weeks, Jason Hoffman out for the season and Edmundo Zura with a back injury, youngster Jason Naidovski is the only striker Newcastle Jets have left - Gary van Egmond is looking into the possibilities of getting a striker in from elsewhere.

Its is rumoured that Adam Griffiths, Ante Covic and Jade North are all targets for new A-League franchises North Queensland FC and Gold Coast United. Gary van Egmond does not beleive any of his players will be interested however and is confident that they will stay at Newcastle.

Jets fans were pleased to hear that local star, Joel Griffiths has commited to Newcastle, signing a new 3 year deal to 2012 as their marquee player.

Newcastle Jets have confirmed that they are interested in signing Mark Milligan who is currently out of contract, if the price is right.

After a slow start to the season, the Newcastle Jets are showing signs of improvement. Coach van Egmond thinks the best is still yet to come.

The big Jets news this week was that Joel Griffiths is likely to sign for another four years on a $1 Million contract. This will see him become Newcastle’s marquee player next year. Griffiths was last season’s A-League player of the year and golden boot winner. He has scored three goals in five games this season, including the winner against Queensland last weekend.

The Energy Australia Stadium turf war between Newcastle Knights, and Newcastle Jets has continued this week. Newcastle Jets owner Con Constantine spoke out this week accusing the Knights of trying to damage the credibility of the A-League side. Constantine has said that he is happy to split Stadium bill, but only if this means he also gets 50% of Stadium profits.

Tarek Elrich has been approached to join the Lebanese National team but apparently has rejected the offer in favour of wearing Green and Gold.

In women’s news, the Newcastle Jets have signed Sammie Wood to play in their Australian Women’s League team.