Jets On Target

Newcastle Herald

Thursday April 3, 2008

By MICHAEL COCKERILL SMH

ANXIOUS Newcastle Jets fans have been implored not to panic by director of football Remo Nogarotto, who is putting the finishing touches on a recruiting campaign he believes will ensure the champions remain competitive both at home and abroad.

This week's departure of promising young midfielder Troy Hearfield (Wellington Phoenix) continued a post-season exodus which has seen Mark Bridge, Stuart Musialik (both Sydney FC) and Andrew Durante (Wellington) all leave the club.

There is also doubt surrounding Adam Griffiths, who has a clause allowing him to return to Europe if he receives an offer by the end of this month.

Skipper Jade North and top scorer Joel Griffiths have also talked recently about their desire to join overseas clubs but both are likely to be held to the remaining year of their contracts.

It adds up to an unsettled atmosphere so soon after the grand final win, but Nogarotto has assured supporters the Jets will not only make a good fist of defending their A-League crown but will prove to be competitive when they debut in the new-look Asian Champions League next year.

Speaking from Rome, where he will be joined at the end of next week on a scouting mission by coach Gary van Egmond, Nogarotto said: "As Mark Twain said, the announcement of our death is grossly exaggerated. People wrote us off last season, and they'll be writing us off now. I would just say to our fans, don't panic."

Newcastle are poised to sign former Sydney FC utility Ruben Zadkovich and a holding midfielder from another A-League club described by Nogarotto as "very promising".

Former Socceroos defender Adrian Madaschi, who has been playing in the Italian lower leagues for almost a decade, is also on the radar.

More importantly, the Jets have not been frightened off by their failures in the overseas transfer market last year.

The club has two high-grade imports both attacking players in their sights.

One foreigner will replace Mario Jardel as the Jets marquee signing.

"I think what we learned last year about bringing in foreigners is make sure you do the right reconnaissance, and don't compromise on talent," Nogarotto said.

"We want to do well in Asia, and to do that you need good quality imports. We're looking at a couple of options, one here [Italy] is particularly interesting."

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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