1 day Ago By James Gardiner
NEWCASTLE Jets coach Rob Stanton expects teenage sensation Will Dobson "to grow" from a roller coaster first start in the A-League. Login or signup to continue reading Playing as a right wingback, Dobson threatened with the ball and was solid without it. He got in behind, threaded passes and won his duels.
The 17-year-old will rue a couple of missed opportunities to score, but didn't look out of place during a 55-minute shift in the Jets' frustrating 2-all draw with Perth Glory at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday. "I was really happy with him," Stanton said of the Jets academy product, who had made seven appearance off the bench before Saturday. "He probably should have scored but I will forgive him for that.
It was his first start and he would have been nervous." With his first touch, Dobson drove into the box and fired a left foot shot which was saved by Glory Oliver Sail. The attacker should have had his first goal in the A-League just before half-time with the score at 1-all Clayton Taylor angled a pass to Dobson inside the six-yard box.
The pass deflected off a defender and ballooned off Dobson's foot and into the post. The ball rebounded for the teenager, but his put-away lacked venom and was cleared off the line. "He put a really good effort in," Stanton said.
"He showed good intent, he got in behind, he did really well, he just ran out of gas. "He can grow from this. There are lots of positives out of it for him.
" The performance of Dobson's replacement Kota Mizunuama and fellow new arrival Charles M'mombwa also gave Stanton food for thought ahead of an F3 derby against Central Coast Mariners in Gosford next Saturday. Deployed on the right wing, Mizunuma showed glimpses of class. The Japanese international created an opportunity with his first touch, found space in wide channels and his delivery from corners was top notch.
"Kota coming on was a good swap for Dobb," Stanton said. "He did a great job when he came on. Charles was excellent as well.
"Kota's delivery from set pieces was exceptional. He was very dangerous. We saw it at training.
We practised set pieces and he was on the other team. We got a shock at how accurate he was. He caused us big problems.
We new who was going to take the ball when we got on there. "It is just technique. It comes from years of practise.
"I thought he moved well, he positioned well, he delivered well. He had a cheeky long-range shot. He wasn't afraid to try some things, find a pass.
" Asked if Mizunuma would start against the Mariners, Stanton said: "He could do. It will be interesting to see how he pulls up. Same with Dobbo.
That will take a bit out of him. "It was the strongest bench I have had in a long time. Lachy Rose gave us an impact when he came on, Wellissol tried to get into areas when he came on.
"All the subs tried to help change the game. We had the game but we found a way to throw it away." James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald.
James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update.
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