Newcastle Jets winger Jonny Steele says the Jets are approaching Sunday’s difficult match-up against Melbourne City and David Villa at AAMI Park with a positive mindset.
Melbourne City are expecting the biggest home crowd in the Club’s history outside of a Melbourne Derby for Villa’s first home match on Sunday.
Steele said the Jets would embrace the opportunity to play against City’s big names in front of a packed stadium as Newcastle continue their run of away matches to start the season.
“We’ve got to go down there with a mindset that we can get a result, because if we go down there and sit back, they’ll pick us apart,” Steele said.
“Four games on the road isn’t easy and it’s going to test our character and show how much heart we have.
“I think we showed last weekend to everyone that was watching that we’re a decent side and can continue to grow.
“You don’t expect to win four games on the road, if you can get six points from those games you’ll be fairly happy.
“Then you get to play at home and you can go on a little bit of a roll and take it game by game to get into the top six.”
Steele made his Jets debut in Newcastle’s opening round loss to Central Coast Mariners, but despite linking up well with David Carney on the left flank, the Northern Ireland international said he still felt he had room for improvement.
“I know I can do better and I will do better,” Steele said.
“I got two chances and I should have put them away, but I’ll keep working to get better every week.
“I’d put money on myself nine times out of 10 (to score), but obviously I didn’t.
“If that goes in it’s a different game, but I’m not going to look back on it and dwell on it.“I’m going to keep moving forward and hopefully if I get the chances this weekend, I put them away.”
Steele said the Jets would not focus too much of their preparation for the clash with City on Villa, preferring to concentrate on aspects of their own play.
“One player doesn’t make a team and we’ve seen that all over the world,” Steele explained.
“Villa is a quality player and if you give him space and too much respect he’ll hurt you and he showed that at the weekend.
“We’ve just got to work the way we set out our game plan, stick to what we’re used to and be aggressive like we’ve been doing in pre-season and in the first game.”
