Every Word From Jets Coach’s Spectacular Press Conference: Crafted with Mitre Moments

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Rob Stanton’s post-match press conference on Sunday offered captivating insights.

The Newcastle Jets’ impressive 20-year streak faced a stark end, as they were overwhelmed by the formidable Western United, who clinched a 6-2 triumph at McDonald Jones Stadium.

MATCH REPORT: Jets stunned by surprise Premiership challengers as Golden Boot frontrunner sends message to Socceroos

Western United shocked the Jets by scoring four goals in just 35 minutes, halting their unbeaten run of seven games that had propelled them into the top-six contention.

In the aftermath, Stanton grappled with numerous inquiries, particularly around the rising speculation about his future in Newcastle.

Here are the key takeaways from his press conference.

“Firstly, I want to congratulate Western on their outstanding performance; they are a team that’s thriving under great coaching and maximising their potential,” Stanton acknowledged.

“They’ve established a strong club with quality personnel committed to doing things the right way. You reap the rewards of such dedication through sustainable success. Their facilities are being developed, and seeing that in person is impressive. So it’s vital we acknowledge that, and I’m sincere in my praise for John and his team; they were exceptional today.

“I wouldn’t want to offer excuses, as it would be disrespectful to Western and their coaching staff. Yes, we felt fatigued, but our second-half performance suggested otherwise. We were significantly improved after the break.

“Perhaps there was an overconfidence; sometimes, that happens when effort and focus wane. Ultimately, that’s on me—I accept full responsibility as the coach.

“Could I have made different decisions? Perhaps. It’s easy to critique after the fact. In the moment, tough calls must be made. I attempted to adapt, but realistically, I could have substituted all 11 players if it were allowed. If only I had a do-over, we’d have been in a better position.

“I sincerely apologise for today’s performance. There are various elements to take into account following this match, but in six games, things could look very different. For now, we’ll wear this result. I’ll return to Sydney for a few days, give the players some time to regroup, and we will come back stronger.”

When asked if the loss overshadowed what had been a positive month for the Jets, Stanton replied: “Not at all.”

“Honestly, we haven’t achieved much in the past 20 years. So, I encourage everyone to revel in those moments because they can change swiftly. It’s crucial to savour that experience.

“It’s the first time we’ve made some media waves, and I genuinely believe the players deserve recognition for that. However, when things don’t go our way, it’s our responsibility as a unit to confront it head-on. Those achievements will remain in the records until someone else comes along to rewrite them.

“Those moments are significant; they mark our progress. We’re working hard to replicate that in the future.”

Amid uncertainties about his future, Stanton was inquired whether he saw himself at the Jets next season.

“How long is a piece of string? I honestly don’t know,” he responded. “At the end of the day, I have a role to fulfil. My focus is on completing my responsibilities, and whatever happens will unfold as it does.”

“I’ve stated this before: my primary concern isn’t my own future. Not too many people are worried about me—I’m focused on ensuring the players stay concentrated on their roles, and that the staff remain committed. We still have significant work ahead. There’s potential for the team to have an outstanding season, or to advance further as a club.

“The fans have endured a lot of hardship over the years due to various issues beyond my control. When I came here, I faced numerous challenges, and I continue to address them. While it’s part of my job to resolve these difficulties, I wish there was more support to alleviate some challenges. The club isn’t structured to be in this position, and it’s going to take time for the new owners to address that.

“However, it’s heartening to see that with a limited budget, we’ve still managed to break a 20-year record and secure seven results. There’s positive momentum, despite the work still needing to be done.”

“Whether I’m there to witness it or not, the aim should remain on transforming this club into a proud establishment for the community and our supporters. When they show up, they ought to feel pride in the club, in the players, and in the efforts made on the pitch. This requires hard work from not just the coach and staff but everyone associated with the club.”

Another reporter questioned Stanton about his future, stressing the impact on fans who might be frustrated at potential changes in coaching.

“I’ll interrupt you there,” Stanton replied. “You can delve into all that later; for me, I will always cherish this opportunity with Newcastle Jets.”

“Why? Because they took the risk of bringing me on board. That’s the most important thing. My duty now is to the club, to foster the best players and staff around me, and to give my all, no matter what. That’s my commitment. Regardless of what lies ahead for me, it’s irrelevant. That’s the reason I was brought on board, and I intend to honour that trust.”

“If I do my job well, the next coach should thrive. I believe I’ve laid solid groundwork, so whoever comes next will excel whenever that may be—even if it’s two years down the line, it’s of little consequence.

“The goal is to keep nurturing the club, which has endured hardship for far too long. Recently, I’ve noted a shift in how people perceive the club, and that’s promising—it signals growth and positive developments within the club. As I said, whether I’m a part of it moving forward is secondary. I’m just one individual. The focus needs to be on the entire organisation; no single head coach can be expected to solve every issue. The structure needs to develop from the top down or the bottom up, but the reality is that we are starting from the bottom up, which is the route I’ve taken.”

“Ultimately, to advance, we need someone willing to invest, to put in the resources for immediate results, or we must consistently work to build a robust foundation, so when the time comes for me to leave, the momentum continues upwards. That’s where we need to aim.”

“For me, none of this matters. I accepted the role knowing what it entailed, it’s not my priority now. I consider it a grand opportunity for which I will forever be thankful.”

“When I eventually move on, I will still have no regrets. I embraced the challenge and asked for the opportunity, recognising it would be difficult. I had a comfortable role at Sydney FC and loved it—working with exceptional players.

“This role is demanding and solitary, requiring immense sacrifice and dedication. In victory, the players shine; in defeat, the coach bears the brunt of criticism. I often reflect that the same people who criticise me are those who also offer their praise—the difference is often minimal. So, what I’m saying is, it’s about progressing the club, not me.”

Stanton continued, “I’m feeling great. Really, why wouldn’t I? We’ve just achieved seven results, a feat that has taken us 20 years.

“We encountered one unfortunate result after three good performances. Am I drained? Not even close. I feel invigorated, though perhaps not today, given what occurred.”

“I’ve mentioned before, I’m not preoccupied with my future. If you’re constantly worrying about what lies ahead, it suggests insecurity—a trait I don’t possess.”

Pushed again about his future, Stanton declared, “This is not about me; it’s about the club.

“I emphasise this, as you’re overlooking the vital point. The fans are connected to the club, not to Rob Stanton. My role here is to ensure our teams perform well, drawing in more supporters. If we fail, then I’ll be the first to go. That’s the stark reality of coaching.”

Bulls bounce back from a situation that ‘derailed our momentum’

Friday night at Coopers Stadium was a whirlwind, featuring nine goals and a last-minute disallowed goal.

Macarthur Bulls triumphed 5-4 over Adelaide United, after a last-second equaliser from Luka Jovanovic was ruled out for offside.

This victory halted a three-match losing streak and a disappointing five-game winless run, keeping their chance for finals alive in eighth place.

MATCH REPORT: Macarthur clinches thrilling victory over Adelaide in a record-breaking match

“Definitely a match for the fans. It was an incredible spectacle,” said Macarthur head coach Mile Sterjovski, who commented on the club’s search for attacking options.

The Bulls lost key players Valere Germain (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Jed Drew (TSV Hartberg), Ariath Piol (Real Salt Lake), and Oli Jones (Randers) in January, along with defender Dino Arslangic.

“We lost five influential players in the January transfer window. Before that, I believe we were second on the table,” reflected the former Socceroo.

“I think that took a toll on our momentum leading into January, but we’re slowly bouncing back.”

“Today (Friday), it was a fantastic attacking display, but we must also evaluate our defensive lapses that allowed goals.”

In contrast, Carl Veart observed as Adelaide suffered their fifth consecutive defeat, prolonging their struggles on Friday night.

The Reds sit sixth on the ladder, only three points clear of Sydney FC, while Macarthur now trails by five points.

“Conceding five goals at home is unacceptable,” Veart stated.

“But the players exerted their utmost. I couldn’t ask more from them.

“… I deeply regret that we couldn’t deliver a better experience for our home fans.”

Reasons Western Sydney possess the elements for a successful season

Alen Stajcic has maintained his conviction: Western Sydney Wanderers possess what it takes to “win the competition.”

The head coach has retained this belief since the beginning of the season, including Saturday night’s exhilarating 4-2 turnaround against rivals Melbourne Victory at CommBank Stadium.

After trailing 2-0, the Wanderers staged a stunning comeback, with Nicolas Milanovic clinching the lead in the 87th minute, followed by a stoppage-time goal from fellow substitute Marcus Antonsson, who secured the victory after Bozhidar Kraev and Brandon Borrello levelled the score.

MATCH REPORT: Down 2-0? No problem as Wanderers showcase a stunning late comeback

This win places the Wanderers third on the table, equal on points with Melbourne City but trailing by four points to Western United and eight points behind Auckland FC. They also remain just one point ahead of Victory and Adelaide.

“I’ve mentioned before that people doubted my assertion that I believed our team could win the competition after watching them in pre-season,” Stajcic said in his post-match interview. “My belief was well-founded.

“I perceive the talent we possess, the depth of our squad, the character, and unity among us. We have all the essential ingredients for a successful journey.”

“But we must continue to grow and improve, and we’ve been doing just that throughout the season.”

“We have ambitious targets, yet we are fully aware that we are not guaranteed anything in the finals; it remains a closely contested league.”

High praise for Roar’s ‘terminator’ following birthday performance to remember

Birthdays don’t come much better than this for Sam Klein, who led Brisbane Roar to a 3-1 victory against fellow strugglers Perth Glory at HBF Park on Saturday night.

Scoring twice on his 21st birthday, Klein achieved his first career brace, propelling the Roar past Glory into 12th position with only their second victory of the season.

MATCH REPORT: Unexpected hero provides a critical twist in the battle to avoid the wooden spoon

This victory puts Brisbane on track to avoid finishing last for the first time in the club’s two-decade history.

“Kleiny is fantastic; we affectionately call him the terminator. He bears a striking resemblance to Dennis Bergkamp,” noted Roar head coach Ruben Zadkovich following the match. “He’s remarkable.

“I can recall driving through traffic with my analyst to watch him play for Gold Coast under Scott McDonald.

“Seeing the intensity he brought to those games—he was oblivious to my presence in the crowd. He’s fiercely competitive and possesses a refined technique; he simply needs guidance on positional awareness and understanding space.

“Really, his attitude is commendable.

“For him to score those goals could mark an important turning point in his career. He shows great potential and has a significant capacity for development.”

“It’s great as well that he’s a local lad; we are committed to identifying as many Queenslanders as possible in our rebuilding process, and he absolutely fits that bill.”

Auckland FC’s bid for the Premiership was thwarted as they settled for a 2-2 draw against two-time reigning champions Central Coast Mariners on Sunday.

League leaders Auckland were pegged back on two occasions by the 10th-placed Mariners, who salvaged a point through Nicholas Duarte’s first A-Leagues goal in the dying minutes.

As a result, Auckland’s cushion has been reduced to four points after enduring three consecutive draws.

MATCH REPORT: Last-minute drama as 21-year-old’s inaugural A-Leagues goal secures Mariners a point in Auckland showdown

“A disappointment,” lamented head coach Steve Corica. “The draw felt much like the Adelaide match where we thought we had secured the win before they scored late.”

“We understand the emotions of equalising late in the game; it’s tough to digest when it slips away like that.”

“We should have closed the game out and defended better. Screwing up in critical moments is unacceptable.”

“I was very pleased with our performance in the first 30 minutes. However, I felt we let our intensity drop and invited them back into the game, losing our hard-earned momentum,” he continued.

Following the international break, Auckland’s schedule includes matches against Brisbane Roar (A), Western Sydney Wanderers (H), Sydney FC (A), Melbourne Victory (A), Perth Glory (H), and Western United (A).

“The title race is far from over,” Corica remarked when discussing their chances for the Premiership. “I’m well aware of the challenges in winning the league.

“These are the types of games we need to secure wins in. The upcoming international week should offer us a chance to regroup.”

“After three draws, we have the opportunity to reassess and put in the hard work during our break.”

Chiefy responds to Talay jibe after reunion: ‘I’ll just leave it at that’

Tensions ran high during Sydney FC’s 1-1 draw with Wellington Phoenix, with both on-field and off-field drama.

The Sky Blues’ ambitions for a top-six finish were hampered by a surprising draw against Wellington, as Ufuk Talay and Giancarlo Italiano reunited at Allianz Stadium on Sunday.

It was a gritty encounter in Sydney, where Kosta Barbarouses equalised after Adrian Segecic opened the scoring in the seventh minute, with tempers flaring on both sides.

MATCH REPORT: Cards, chaos & carnage – Sydney and Wellington culminate a wild A-League weekend

Post-match, Sky Blues manager Talay voiced his frustration with the officiating, critiquing the Phoenix’s approach to the match.

“It was difficult to break through their defence, but being the dominant side in football isn’t always straightforward,” Talay stated, given Sydney now lags three points behind the top six.

“In my view, the referees allowed them to establish their pace, particularly during stoppages.”

“I believe Wellington were satisfied with a draw, especially playing away against a strong opponent like Sydney FC, and I can see their rationale.”

“However, it was frustrating because we aimed to play with speed and fluidity. We prefer the ball in action, and my belief is the officiating allowed them to dictate the pace.”

“Every goal-kick took 30-45 seconds to happen, which is disappointing, as fans expect a lively game, not prolonged stoppages.”

Italiano, who previously served as Talay’s assistant at Wellington before taking over in 2023-24, responded with a playful grin to the post-match comments.

“I’m not going to comment too much but it’s worth noting that Sydney has a reputation for fouling and slowing the game down. I’ll just leave it at that,” said Italiano, whose Wellington side stands in 11th place, trailing by 13 points.