Newcastle Jets midfielder Mateo Poljak says a win over Sydney FC on Saturday night would be a clear statement of intent from last season's A-League wooden spooners.
The new-look Jets were first-round winners against Wellington in coach Scott Miller's debut game in charge and are looking to make it back-to-back victories for the first time since March last year when they host the Sky Blues.
"I think that will set a tone for the rest of the season," Poljak said.
"We opened the season great with an away win but winning tomorrow against Sydney FC would actually put a statement there - Newcastle Jets are back, Newcastle Jets are better than last season and the season before and you'll know what you can expect from (us)."
It would indeed be a line-in-the-sand result for Newcastle, who have taken on a new edge since the end of the disastrous Nathan Tinkler regime.
Beating Sydney FC would go a long way to consolidating the huge strides the club has made on and off the field in recent months.
Poljak said he could sense locals were jumping back on the Jets bandwagon.
"People around the community have been very supportive. I think everyone notices that things are changing," he said.
"And they're changing for much better. We can feel it, I'm sure Newcastle people and in the region can feel it as well."
Poljak is in contention to wear the captain's armband for the Jets due to the one-week suspension of skipper Nigel Boogaard.
It's anticipated former Sydney FC youth player Themba Muata-Marlow, signed by Newcastle in the off-season, will slot in for him at centre-back.
The 21-year-old has played only once at senior level before, but Poljak expects whoever Boogaard's replacement will be to integrate seamlessly into the team.
"You want to have someone early in the season who's going to be there, vocal, and lead. But things like that happen in football and you have to be prepared for that," he said.
"Whoever steps in will give their best, and our style or anything won't change. You won't feel it much."
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