Gertjan Verbeek will be looking for a reaction from his players when Adelaide United welcomes Newcastle Jets to Coopers Stadium on Sunday.
The Reds were uncharacteristically insipid against Wellington Phoenix last weekend where they endured a 2-1 loss – snapping a four-match winning streak.
“They were too relaxed and we talked about it a few times last week,” he told reporters in the pre-match press conference.
“They’ve seen some video and we’ve to learn from it and this is a new game, a new opponent, so hopefully we’ll pick up the good play we played against Victory.”
Talented young guns Al Hassan Toure and Louis D’Arrigo both signed three-year contract extensions until the end of the 2022/23 season during the week.
Verbeek said he was pleased to see the pair remain in Adelaide, and added that giving young players an opportunity is something he will continue to do if players prove they are capable of playing at this level.
The Dutchman also watched the Young Reds prevail past Melbourne City Youth 3-2 earlier in the day in the Foxtel Y-League.
“One of my goals is to get the youth players ready for the first team,” he said.
“That’s why also I was this morning I was at the game this morning to watch the Youth Team to see how the guys are doing, who are training with us.
“So I’m interested and I want to develop the players so I can help Adelaide.
“I think we’re doing well, the boys are doing well and this morning we won 3-2 against Melbourne City (Youth).”
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Adelaide are unbeaten in their past five games against the Jets which included a 2-1 comeback victory in Round 3 at McDonald Jones Stadium.
However, United have not won consecutive games against Newcastle since 2015, and have also recently found form, after collecting their second win in a row following a 2-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers.
Verbeek believed both teams have improved substantially since that contest in October, but admitted the Jets will be familiar with how the Reds play and vice versa.
“We’ve improved a lot but also Newcastle,” he continued.
“They’ve won the last two games and so they’ve a lot of confidence and they also know in the first-half they were the better team – it was very hot there… In the second-half we got back in the game.
“… They will now know how we play and how we do it and we know how Newcastle is doing it and it’ll be interesting how the guys are doing in this particular moment.”
Adelaide United host Newcastle Jets in Round 9 of the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 season on Sunday, 8 December at Coopers Stadium. Kick-off is at 5.30pm ACDT. Gates open at 4.30pm. Live and Exclusive on Fox Sports, Kayo Sports and the My Football Live App.
