Well, happy to get the win even though it felt like a muddled performance from front to back - apart from the standout performances of Marinovic, Devlin & Davila.
That first half, it genuinely felt like roles were reversed, we looked like we were cellar dwellers and Newcastle looked a very good side. They pressed well, and hassled and harried us all over the park and should have been at least 1-0 up at H/T, but for Hoffman's poor miss with only Marinovic to beat. I can't actually recall us offering a serious threat going forward in that first half, bar a long shot from Ball and a teasing ball across the box which just evaded Hooper, but all said and done that half of football was probably the worst we've played so far this season. It was a frustrating watch, but credit to Newcastle for coming over here with a game plan to get in our faces and disrupt the supply lines down the flanks which kept us very quiet indeed.
Second half was much better, bar some absolute rubbish that lead to the Jets drawing level - that was a horrible sequence of play for all involved...
Substitutions were on point, they changed the game, gave us momentum and they all made an impact, which is probably the most pleasing aspect of the night for me as it shows Talay has got some tactical nous and flexibility to change things up when it's not quite falling into place for us.
We definitely missed Steinmann pulling the strings and giving direction to our play in the heart of that midfield, especially in that aimless first half, but in a way it was kind of a blessing that he got a week off to freshen up for Perth, where we'll need him to pull out a performance if we're hoping to get anything from our trip to Western Australia. That's not a slight on Wilson either, it's hard coming into the fold in midfield for his first game at the club and then playing a critical role as an anchor of our team, but without any rhythm, cohesion or momemtum behind him which we've built up over the season. That will come with time and he'll be better for it. He wasn't spectacular by any stretch but I thought he showed glimpses of what we can expect from him over the course of the rest of the season, he's a work in progress and he'll get there eventually.
Happy with the 3 points, even if it was a bit of a slog at times. Full credit to Newcastle for a good hard fought game as well. They'd be thinking they should be heading back across the ditch with at least a point for their efforts. But hey, we probably deserved a point in Brisbane last week too. Football can be a cruel mistress like that and it's even harder when you're at the bottom.
Roll on Perth in a couple of weeks!
COYN!