1 day Ago By James Gardiner
Newcastle Jets defender Mark Natta has never been more confident. Login or signup to continue reading One month out from kick off to the the 2024-25 A-League, Natta believes the Jets are exactly where they need to be. The squad is supremely fit.
Combinations are formed. The club is settled under the new ownership group. The arrival of Brazilian Wellissol has created a buzz and the results are starting to flow.
"The next month is about polishing up the finer details," Natta said. "We are very fit. The team is looking good.
We will be very strong this year. The new signings up front have brought an X-factor to the team. "The minimum goal is to make finals.
It has been a fair few years since we have made finals as a club and this is definitely the year we can." Natta is lining up for his third season with Newcastle. The 21-year-old turned down an approach from Sydney FC to sign a two-year extension in February.
The Sky Blues came again in the off-season, enquiring about a potential loan deal. Neither Natta or coach Rob Stanton were interested. "The belief that Rob and the staff have in me is something I want as a footballer," Natta said.
"I know that we can push for finals and I'm confident that we will make finals. For myself, playing games and getting better is the most important thing. I enjoy it here.
" The Jets continued their build up to the season with a 1-0 win over Wellington in Sydney on Tuesday. New striker Ben Gibson broke the deadlock in the 60th minute and the defence then held strong to keep a clean sheet. "For now, we are really focusing on the performance over results," Natta said.
"The results will come when the performances are there. "We had a good result against Wellington on Tuesday. "The week before against Sydney, I thought we played very well.
We lost 3-2 but we had some very good moments. "Against Sydney we switched off on two corners and gave away cheap goals. Against Wellington, we tidied those things up and stayed focused for the whole 90 minutes.
We didn't have a lapse in concentration. That comes with fitness and games." The Jets had the sixth best defence, conceding 47 goals, despite finishing 10th on the ladder last season.
The arrival of former Socceroo Aleks Susnjar, alongside Natta, Nathan Grimaldi and Phil Cancar has added starch and experience at the back. Susnjar and Natta played in the heart of defence against Wellington. Natta has also played as a defensive midfielder during the pre-season.
"That is what preseason is for - to try different formations, different personnel in different positions," Natta said. "We definitely haven't locked down a squad for round one. We still have a month to go.
There are lots of points to prove from all the players. "Sush (Susnjar) has been a a great addition. It is always good to have a senior player, especially in your position, to look up to and mould your game on.
Sush has played for the Socceroos and played at the highest level. "I have learned a lot already. Little things in games that you wouldn't think about.
Giving a striker a nudge at this moment or jumping a bit early. He has been around a while and mastered it." The Jets travel to Perth on Wednesday for a six-day training camp that includes games against the Glory in Bunbury on September 29 and Albany (October 2).
Wellissol is expected to play minutes in both games. "It will be good to get to know some of the new boys a bit better and have a week away with everyone," Natta said. "It is a change of scenery which is always good in preseason.
The games will also be good to work on things." They will finalise preparations for round one - a visit by Melbourne City on October 19 - with a hit-out against Sydney FC. "The boys are very eager," Natta said.
"Last season was the first year in the A-League for a lot of the boys. Now we have a bit more experience and are ready to push for the finals." DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team.
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