Merrick says victory essential
Newcastle Jets coach Ernie Merrick says even one more defeat in the final five games would effectively end his team's chances of a Finals Series spot.
Though last season's beaten Grand Finalists had gone on a five-game unbeaten run before the F3 Derby at home to Central Coast last time out, the 3-2 defeat they suffered to the Mariners was a big blow to their chances.
It really is a critical game for us. It's all or nothing from now on; we've just got to win.
Ernie Merrick
They are five points behind sixth-placed Adelaide United, and three of their remaining matches are on the road.
Newcastle go to Wellington Phoenix on Saturday and next month have consecutive away games against leaders Perth Glory and Brisbane Roar.
Merrick, speaking ahead of the meeting with his former team, said: "It really is a critical game for us. It's all or nothing from now on; we've just got to win and that's what we intend to do, and we've got the players to do it."
The defeat to Central Coast was a shock, given that the visitors had only won one of their previous 21 games this season.
Merrick said he had spoken to his senior players about demanding higher standards for the rest of the campaign.
"It's about efficiency, about scoring goals and there's no second chances anymore," he added. "If we lose another game, I think we would really struggle."
Midfielder Ronald Vargas will miss the Wellington game after suffering a recurrence of a hamstring injury.
Merrick says he felt the former Venezuela international had returned to action too soon against the Mariners, but he expects him to be in contention for the Round 24 clash at home to Western Sydney.
Newcastle Jets are 5/1 to finish in the top six.
The Jets are 9/4 to win their next game against Wellington Phoenix, who are 23/20 with the draw 12/5.
View all Soccer betting
Newcastle Jets coach Ernie Merrick says even one more defeat in the final five games would effectively end his team's chances of a Finals Series spot.
Though last season's beaten Grand Finalists had gone on a five-game unbeaten run before the F3 Derby at home to Central Coast last time out, the 3-2 defeat they suffered to the Mariners was a big blow to their chances.
It really is a critical game for us. It's all or nothing from now on; we've just got to win.
Ernie Merrick
They are five points behind sixth-placed Adelaide United, and three of their remaining matches are on the road.
Newcastle go to Wellington Phoenix on Saturday and next month have consecutive away games against leaders Perth Glory and Brisbane Roar.
Merrick, speaking ahead of the meeting with his former team, said: "It really is a critical game for us. It's all or nothing from now on; we've just got to win and that's what we intend to do, and we've got the players to do it."
The defeat to Central Coast was a shock, given that the visitors had only won one of their previous 21 games this season.
Merrick said he had spoken to his senior players about demanding higher standards for the rest of the campaign.
"It's about efficiency, about scoring goals and there's no second chances anymore," he added. "If we lose another game, I think we would really struggle."
Midfielder Ronald Vargas will miss the Wellington game after suffering a recurrence of a hamstring injury.
Merrick says he felt the former Venezuela international had returned to action too soon against the Mariners, but he expects him to be in contention for the Round 24 clash at home to Western Sydney.
Newcastle Jets are 5/1 to finish in the top six.
The Jets are 9/4 to win their next game against Wellington Phoenix, who are 23/20 with the draw 12/5.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com
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