JETS chief executive Lawrie McKinna hopes new arrivals Bernie Ibini and Joe Ledley can spark a push for the play-offs but the former coach is certain they will create at least one thing - competition.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ledley, a Welsh international who has won Scottish titles with Celtic and played in the Premier League at Crystal Palace, will join the squad when the reassemble [after a day off] on Thursday.
He and Bernie Ibini have signed until the end of the season. Their signatures follow the recruitment of striker Roy O'Donovan and Olyroos left back Connor O'Toole during January.
The Jets sit in 10th place on 15 points, 11 behind sixth placed Brisbane, with eight games remaining. In recent seasons, around 35 points has been the cut off for the top six. However, there is one less game this campaign.
"We still believe we can still get in the top six," McKinna said. "It will be hard but at the very least we want to finish the season with a positive run so fans can see that the club is serious and building for next season.
"Joe has had a great career and looks fit. Just having another guy, who has played at the top level for a lot of years in the squad is going to benefit the young players.
"I watched Bernie at training [Tuesday] and he looked really sharp. He is going to add something. Even if they don't start, they are putting pressure on other people.
"In the first bit of the season, we had no pressure on the starting eleven. Everybody knew who was playing. Now they are fighting for all positions which is how it should be. Everybody has to be on their toes."
Ledley, 33, although unlikely to involved against Perth at home on Saturday, will add experience and class to the midfield rotation.
"You look at his CV and it is really impressive," McKinna said. "A lot of Premier League games, Champions League games, Championship games. The feedback on him is that he is a leader on the field as well, which we need. You can't have enough leaders. Bringing someone like him in until the end of the season will add, to what we think we have improved on already. When Roy came in a few weeks ago there was definitely a lift in training as well. That is what these guys will do."
