CAPTAIN Nigel Boogaard has urged the Jets to dismiss the fact Adelaide United are playing in the FFA Cup final and expect the visitors to be at their best at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday.
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Adelaide take on Melbourne City in the climax of the national knockout at Coopers Stadium on Wednesday night and then back-up three days later in Newcastle in the A-League.
The match is the Jets' first game at home for the campaign and Boogaard is desperate to open with a win.
The veteran centreback was part of the Adelaide team which beat Perth 1-0 to win the FFA Cup in the inaugural season in 2015.
"Everyone bangs on about it being a tough schedule - playing three games in seven days," Boogaard said. "You are playing for silverware. All that goes to the back of your mind. Regardless of what the result is in the cup they will be dangerous. If they win, they will be on a high. If they lose, they will want to prove a point and get their A-League season back on track.
"We can't afford to take our mind off what we are doing and think they have had a heavy schedule and will come here tired."
Adelaide have started the A-League with consecutive losses to Sydney FC (3-2) and Melbourne City (2-1), but will be boosted by the inclusion of former Socceroo James Troisi, who joined the Reds a fortnight ago.
"They have some quality across the park," Boogaard said. "Adding Troisi to what they already have there - they will be dangerous. We need to understand a couple of their key threats, understand overall what they are going to bring to the table and then nullify that. As long as that doesn't compromise the way we want to play. That is the biggest thing. We have to back ourselves and get teams to adapt to us."
The Jets had the bye in the opening round but showed promising signs in pulsating 1-all draw against a much-improved Central Coast in Gosford last Saturday.
The Jets dominated position and territory, won the corner count 12-5 and delivered 43 balls into the penalty box.
"Off the weekend, we just have to make sure we do things better," Boogaard said. "It was a good start to the season but there is a lot of room for improvement.
"First half was probably a bit sloppy from us. Not only was it a derby, it was our first game. Throw those two together and it was never going to be the most polished performance.
"Second half, you could see the mindset. It is pleasing to know we are getting the ball in the box, we are getting numbers in the box and boys are hungry to score. We just need to top that off with some silk and quality and the goals will start flowing."
The Jets lost 1-0 to Adelaide in the FFA Cup quarter-final at Coopers Stadium last month after the visitors played 80 minutes with 10 men courtesy of a red card to goalkeeper Lewis Italiano.
"After having Lewis sent off so early in the game, you can't really analyse it," Boogaard said. "We will look more at their recent form. How they went against City and how they go Wednesday night. Again, we will concentrate on what we need to do, understand what they bring to the table, but if we execute and do what we know we can, then we will trouble any team."
Ben Kantarovski has recovered from a hamstring injury but is unlikely to start after strong games in midfield by Steve Ugarkovic and Matthew Ridenton against the Mariners.
