CARL Robinson will unleash Bernie Ibini off the bench but will resist the temptation to start Wes Hoolahan for the "biggest test" since the Welshman took charge of the Jets against an in-form Perth Glory at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Robinson made his first move on the player market this week, signing Ibini and Welsh international Joe Ledley until the end of the campaign.
Ledley was late last night still awaiting his International Transfer Clearance and is unlikely to be available.
There are no such issues for Ibini, who trained strongly this week and is set to tag-team Panamanian striker Abdiel Arroyo on Saturday.
"Bernie will be involved in the 18 and I'm excited to see him," Robinson said. "He has quality. He is a big boy and likes to play in little pocket areas."
Ibini spent 17 months under Robinson at the Vancouver Whitecaps and played mainly in a wide area. However, the coach is playing with a front-two and two wingbacks at the Jets.
"I played him in Vancouver as a wide player, an inverted winger, but he can play as a number nine, he can play as a false nine, he can play as a number ten," Robinson said.
"I want my good players, who are in form, in the team. I'll adjust and make tactical switches based upon the players who deserve to play. The more good players I have, the easier it becomes."
Hoolahan, 37, returned from a six-month lay-off with an ankle injury in the Jets' 1-all draw against Victory.
Robinson said the former Norwich midfielder, known affectionately as the Irish Messi, had a "very productive [A-League] debut".
"It's not nice missing one week, never mind four or five months," he said. "Wes is the ultimate pro ... he does the extra work and is always wanting to be on the training pitch. That is infectious. You want players like that."
However. Hoolahan will again be injected into the game off the bench, with Angus Thurgate to start alongside Steve Urgarkovic in the middle of the park.
Robinson was largely happy with the performance against the Victory.
"There was a lot of really good play, especially in the first half," he said. "The only disappointing thing was that we only scored one goal after a dominant first half. As in most football matches, you know the second half is likely to change. Managers make adjustments, players get told a few home truths. There is always a reaction. We paid a price for being a bit slow out of the blocks."
Against an in-form Perth side, led by Diego Castro and Bruno Fornaroli, Robinson said it was essential for the Jets to master the "key moments".
"Key moments are what wins games or loses games," he said. "'Perth are unbeaten in 10 games. It is a great challenge for us. No-one will expect us to win, probably, based upon the way the last 10 weeks have gone, but I do. I believe in these boys and they have to believe in themselves. If we play like we have in the last two games over 90 minutes, rather than 75, there is no reason we can't win the game."
"It comes down to moments in both boxes. Castro and Fornaroli are key players for a reason and have done it year in, year out. They score goals, and the majority of goals are scored in the box. You have to be aware of them. We have key players as well. We have key players as well. We need our players to exploit certain moments in games, and we have to do jobs on their key players."
Meanwhile, Matthew Ridenton will continue to train with the Jets despite having his contract mutually terminated.
The Kiwi international, who hadn't played since the 4-0 loss to Melbourne Victory on January 5, was offloaded to open a visa spot for Ledley.
"I want to bring some players in and unfortunately you have to make adjustments and moves," Robinson said. "When you are a good person and a good professional, coaches give you opportunity. I know Matty will move on and go to pastures new, but I want to help him as much as I can until that moment arises. He can train with us for the rest of the season."
