Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Herald
National
James Gardiner

A-League: Jets coach uses bye weekend to work hard

FOCUSED: Jets coach will use the bye weekend to do some serious work on the training pitch. Picture: Jonathan Carroll

CARL Robinson admitted the timing of the bye wasn't perfect but the Jets coach is looking forward to doing some "serious work" before the next game against Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium on March 15.

The Jets have built up momentum since Robinson took the reins before the clash against Western Sydney three weeks ago. They drew 1-all with Wanderers away, achieved the same result against Melbourne Victory at home, before a breakthrough 2-1 win over second-placed Perth at Turton Road on Saturday.

"[Normally] when you are winning games of football, you don't want the international break to come," Robinson said. "If you are losing games, you do.

"I'm delighted now that we have a bit of time where we can get to serious work on the training field. In a short space of time, I am preparing for games on the weekend, but I am also thinking that I need to try and implement what I want with these players."

Robinson has the Jets playing at a higher intensity, they are pressing more and looking to play a possession-based game.

"It doesn't happen over night," Robinson said. "It is stage by stage, it's repetition, it's increasing their confidence, it's increasing the development of relationships within the team. Not just the back players, it's the midfield and the forwards and little bits of movement.

"We haven't had much time to work with it. Now we will. We will have two weeks. But maybe it has come at a bad time, yeah."

The extra week will also provide more opportunity for new arrivals Joe Ledley and Bernie Ibini to improve their fitness and form combinations with teammates.

Ledley has not played since a 45-minute stint for Charlton Athletic against Middlesbrough in the English Championship on December 7.

He had been training with League Two club Newport County before linking with the Jets.

Ibini, who helped lead Jeonbuk Hyundai to a championship in Korea in November, played 30 minutes off the bench. He was out of sync with his teammates at times, but provided a vital touch for Roy O'Donovan to score the match-winner.

READ MORE: TURBO-CHARGED JETS SEEK MORE GLORY

READ MORE: NIKOLAI WONDER STRIKE TOPOR THE LIST

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.