STAND-IN Jets captain Matt Thompson has likened Kaz Patafta to former A-League player of the year Nick Carle and believes the one-time Benfica midfielder has a crucial role to play against Sydney FC tomorrow and in the Asian Champions League.One of the Jets' major recruits, Patafta had struggled for game time until he was pitched into the starting line-up against Perth last Sunday.But the 20-year-old made the most of a rare opportunity, helping steer the Jets to a morale-boosting 2-1 win.He set up the Jets' opening goal with an inswinging corner for Antun Kovacic to head home and was a constant threat to the Glory defence.Patafta's energetic effort was enough to earn man-of-the-match honours just ahead of centre back Kovacic, who had also been out of favour for most of the season."For Antun to score and Kaz to be man of the match, it was the perfect thing," said Thompson, who is filling in as skipper for injured striker Joel Griffiths."We were so happy for them both. Kaz gives us a bit of flair."Since Nicky Carle left [two seasons ago] we have not had someone who is that clever on the ball."He got to show us a bit of that last week. The poor [Perth] right back who Kaz nutted pretty clean, I should have scored from that opportunity."When you have a player like that around the 18-yard box, you run off him and he will find you."It is something we have not had. With him there, it gives us an extra outlet."The physical nature of the A-League has made life tough for Patafta, who before last round had played 111 minutes in seven appearances off the bench.The 20-year-old has worked hard in the gym to add bulk to his diminutive frame and is starting to reap the rewards."I think Asia is perfect for him," Thompson said."The A-League is a little bit more aggressive, but having said that, he really handled that fine on the weekend."Given what he did against Perth, he will go into this game and Asia full of confidence."The Jets and Sydney FC will be playing for little more than pride.Both will field teams with an eye to the future.Adam Griffiths returns from suspension in place of Jobe Wheelhouse (suspension) in the only change to the side who recorded just their fourth win of the campaign.Thompson and Jets right back Tarek Elrich will fly out to Jakarta on Monday in preparation for the Socceroos opening Asian Cup qualifier against Indonesia.wBoth are yet to make their senior national debut, but Thompson said he would not hold anything back in fear of injury against Sydney."If you go in with that frame of mind you are more than likely to get injured and disappoint your teammates," Thompson said."Nothing changes we are going down there to win the game. "We are not going to preserve any energy or worry about what is going to happen the next day."We want to finish the A-League season on a high note, especially after a good win last week."The match will be the last for Newcastle-born Sydney FC player Robbie Middleby before he departs for North Queensland next season."He will want to leave on a good note," Thompson said. "He has had a bad fortnight with what happened [disgruntled Sydney fans attacked him and his wife] which was disgraceful. I hope he plays well but they lose."