Spencer Ready To Showcase Ability In Revamped Side
Newcastle Herald
Monday October 6, 2008
JETS midfielder Noel Spencer now treats every game as a potential job interview.
Spencer is one of eight Jets off contract at the end of the season.He is a member of the leadership group, but chances have been few and far between for the industrious midfielder.An abundance of talent in the midfield has restricted Spencer to just four appearances off the bench this season for a total of 106 minutes."It is frustrating, but you have to be professional enough to accept it and work as hard as you can on the training park," Spencer said. "When you get the nod, you have to take it with both hands."Spencer's opportunity arrives today when the understrength Jets host the Wellington Phoenix at EnergyAustralia Stadium.Injury to Adam Griffiths (hamstring) and the absence of James Holland (Young Socceroos) has opened the way for Spencer to come into a reshuffled midfield."We are fortunate that we have a good squad and plenty of depth," Spencer said."I have a good chance tomorrow to do a job for the team and the club."An impressive display may also spark interest from rival clubs, who are now permitted to approach players coming off contract.Spencer, 31, had been linked to new club Gold Coast at the end of last season but said his mind was purely on the Jets."I guess it is like a job interview every time you play with the new clubs coming into the league [next season]," he said yesterday. "But like I said, my focus is on tomorrow."As long as we get the three points, that is all that matters."Apart from Adam Griffiths and Holland, the Jets are also without Jason Hoffman (knee) and star striker Joel Griffiths (hamstring).Edmundo Zura returns from a back strain and will start at the point of the attack, while Daniel Piorkowski and Adam D'Apuzzo are the other likely additions to a new-look starting side."It is a real chance for the guys coming in," van Egmond said. "A lot of them have a point to prove. It is going to be a real good test of character."We have a number of players who could be in positions they are not too familiar with."The Jets are coming off a 2-0 loss to Adelaide and need to beat the Phoenix to stay in touch with the top four at the completion of the first round."We always look at it we are at home and we should get three points," van Egmond said. "If you don't get maximum points at home, it is very hard to be competitive overall in the league."Wellington have made one change to the side that stunned Sydney 1-0 at home, their first win of the season.Captain Andrew Durante returns to the centre of defence after missing the Sydney win with the flu. Ben Sigmund moves from centre half to right back, relegating Manny Muscat to the bench.Durante is one of four ex-Jets, alongside Richard Johnson, Vaughan Coveny and Tim Brown, in the Phoenix line-up."They are coming off the back of a good win against Sydney," Spencer said. "Their tails are going to be up."They have plenty of experience and plenty of ex-Newcastle boys in the team. It is going to be a real battle."If we can win the battle, I think our football will do the rest of the talking."
© 2008 Newcastle Herald