Hoolahan believes Jets' fantastic four can take FFA Cup by storm

Wes Hoolahan believes the FFA Cup 2019 is proving to be the perfect testing ground for the Newcastle Jets’ new-look four-pronged attack.

Newcastle's 5-1 win against Edgeworth in the FFA Cup Round of 16 saw all of Ernie Merrick’s brand new ‘Fantastic Four’ on the scoresheet.

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Panama international striker Abdiel Arroyo opened the scoring, Hoolahan netted the second, talisman Dimi Petratos scored from the spot and new recruit from Western Sydney Wanderers, Nick Fitzgerald, grabbed the fourth.

Petratos was credited for the fifth when Arroyo’s shot nicked off the Caltex Socceroo as Newcastle booked their place in the last eight.

The quartet’s chemistry was of no surprise to 43-cap Ireland international Hoolahan, who believes Hyundai A-League defences may need to watch out for the Jets’ four-midable front line. 

“[Arroyo] has been very good. He’s quick, strong, he’s a real asset. Ernie [Merrick] has done well in bringing these players to the team,” Hoolahan told a-league.com.au

“Obviously we’ve got Dimi [Petratos] and there’s [Nick] Fitzgerald as well. We’ve got quality players up front with a lot of experience as well so we’re confident we can do well this year.

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“Since I’ve been here, we’ve worked in training with the four of us, our link up play and our movement. 

“We seem to get on like a house on fire straight away. We feel like we know each other’s games, it’s like we’ve been playing with each other for a long time.”

The 37-year-old, signed after his contract at English Championship club West Bromwich Albion expired this off-season, is eager to make an impression in the FFA Cup.

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“It’s a great way to get a bit of momentum, build some confidence early and try to grow that winning mentality,” Hoolahan added. 

“We’ll see on Wednesday who we’re going to be drawn against, hopefully it’s at home, that’ll be nice.

“You want to win every game, but Ernie [Merrick] has said how we want to get through to the next round. 

“He wanted a good performance against Edgeworth. We did that and we want to again in the next round now, so we’re looking forward to the next game.”