OWNER Nathan Tinkler says embattled Newcastle Jets coach Phil Stubbins is going nowhere and deserves the opportunity to turn the club’s fortunes around next season in the wake of a bitter fan campaign aimed at ousting him.
After missing the play-offs over the past four years, Newcastle has won just two games from 24 matches under Stubbins this season to sit anchored on the bottom of the A-League ladder and eyeing off the wooden spoon.
The coach has been a constant target for disgruntled fans, even before the controversial mid-season clean-out of a number of senior players which Tinkler maintains will lead to a revitalisation of the Jets.
Several of those supporters vented their feelings during the Jets’ 2-0 loss to Perth on Monday night at Hunter Stadium, unveiling a giant banner that stretched across three grandstand bays, calling on the club to take action in the wake of another dismal A-League campaign.
The banner read: Enough failure, lies and arrogance. 10,000 fans demand the muppet gone.
But their protest has fallen on deaf ears and been labelled a waste of time with the only man who can make that decision – Tinkler – not even contemplating a change of coach.
“How many goals has Phil Stubbins missed?” Tinkler said when quizzed by The Daily Telegraph about his coach’s future.
“It is not his fault and no-one is working harder to fix this. You would swear we had a squad everyone is envious of.”
Tinkler, whose ownership of the Jets and ability to pay the bills continues to be monitored, is certain there have been enough signs over the past two months, with Stubbins blooding a string of youngsters in the top grade, to suggest a big turnaround is possible next season.
“It will turn for us,” he said.
“The effort is there and adding the quality to that effort next year will see us much higher up the ladder.
“We have plenty of roster spots and just have to be in the market for the right guys.”
Poor finishing has cost the Jets victory in their past two games against Adelaide and Perth with Tinkler admitting a marquee striker is a priority for next season.
“We don’t have $1.4 million for (Marc) Janko but I hope we can find something (a striker) similar. “Not many other clubs have room under the cap.
“Phil knew what he didn’t have and he knows what he needs. It will happen.”
source:news.com.au
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 