The busiest A-League coach during the off-season, Gary Van Egmond believes the signing of former English International Emile Heskey is the last piece of the puzzle for the
…they now have the ability to score goals from anywhere on the park. Van Egmond has stringently attempted to instil an attacking and fast approach, underlined by the recruitment of mobile, young players who he is able to mould under this philosophy. Last season the Jets missed an out-and-out centre forward that enabled them to press at all times, however Heskey’s signing now combats this. Coupled with fellow recruit, young gun James Brown who at times lit up the A-League last season with some remarkable goals, Heskey can be the answer to the Jets once plaguing striker dilemma.
…inexperience in the midfield may hurt them. Ben Kantarovski, James Brown, Jacob Pepper, James Virgili and Ruben Zadkovich all make up a relatively inexperienced and young midfield that can’t over rely on Heskey up front. The departure of old heads Jeremy Brockie, Ali Abbas and Tarek Elrich not only add to the Jets possible rawness, but allows one to ponder whether there is much depth beyond the starting 11.
…a total player overhaul. As well as the highly publicised marquee signing of Heskey, Van Egmond has brought in an additional 12 youngsters and removed 13. Josh Brilliante, Adam Taggart, Mark Birighitti, Mitch Cooper, Scott Neville and James Brown are all exciting talents with enormous potential, as well as AIS National Youth League recruits, Mitch Oxborrow and Connor Chapman.
Emile Heskey. Van Egmond’s praise, “he’s given us a massive boost,” succinctly says it all. Heskey’s attacking prowess allows the Jets to press forward from the back and if given the ball, he’s confident he can improve his English Premier League record of a goal every 4.6 games, “I will get my fair share of goals given the opportunity,” he said.
Jacob Pepper. After being promoted to a regular starting spot half way through last season, the
Full Squad List
1. Ben KENNEDY 2. Jack DUNCAN 3. Mark BIRIGHITTI 4. Dominik RITTER 5. Scott NEVILLE 6. Craig GOODWIN 7. Connor CHAPMAN 8. Tiago CALVANO 9. Taylor REGAN 10. Sam GALLAWAY 11. Josh MITCHELL 12. Ruben Zadkovich 13. Mitch COOPER 14. Mitchell OXBORROW 15. Jacob PEPPER 16. Josh BRILLIANTE 17. James BROWN 18. Bernardo RIBEIRO 19. Jobe WHEELHOUSE 20. Ben KANTAROVSKI 21. Marko JESIC 22. Adam TAGGART 23. James VIRGILI 24. Emile HESKEY 25. Michael BRIDGES 26. Ryan GRIFFITHS
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