Australia NewsShow Some Swagger: Gazza |
NEWCASTLE Jets coach Gary van Egmond wants his champions to show some swagger as they begin preparations to defend their title.
The Jets reported for the start of pre-season training today, albeit minus a big chunk of their squad.Skipper Jade North and goalkeeper Ante Covic are in Sydney with the Socceroos for a closed friendly game against Adelaide United at Parramatta Stadium.
James Holland, Tarek Elrich, Adam D'Apuzzo and Jason Hoffman are in Olyroos camp and Shaun Ontong will not arrive until he completes his ACL commitments with Adelaide United.
The Jets still have four places to fill on the roster, leaving just the bare bones to resume training.
Van Egmond told the Herald: "The players who are within the Socceroos and Olyroos squad are getting a decent fitness base through training and game time.
"They are probably a little bit in front of these boys.
"It is a matter of giving them a base and ensuring that when we get everyone back on deck around June/July that everyone is of similar fitness.
"It is a great challenge to be defending a championship. It is going to be extremely tough. As good as we were mentally last year, we need to be that good and better again.
"We need to have a real swagger about us. Not an arrogant swagger but an aura that when we go to play teams they feel it is the Newcastle Jets coming to play.
"The likes of the Real Madrids, the Bayern Munichs, the Manchester Uniteds and Chelseas. We need to have that same aura."
Van Egmond's recruitment plans continue with an answer due this week from ex Melbourne Victory defender Ljubo Milicevic.
At least four players will be put through their paces in trials over the coming weeks as well.
Van Egmond said: "We have a couple of players from Brazil that have looked very good on DVDs and we are in negotiations about getting them out for a trial.
"They were fairly impressive on the tape, and if they are able to show anything like that form once they get here, they would be great acquisitions.
"There are also a couple of boys from Europe we spoke to while I was over there."
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