"Hopefully he looks at me for a starting position ... I want to be the number one striker."
- ARCHIE GOODWIN
TEEN sensation Archie Goodwin doesn't know anything about new Jets signing, Cameroon international, Olivier Boumal.
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Nor is the 16-year-old striker about to google the 31-year-old winger, whose resume includes playing at the Africa Cup of Nations and Confederations Cup and in the top flight in Greece, Japan and China.
Ditto, incoming Georgian striker Beka Mikeltadze.
It's not a sign of disrespect from Goodwin.
"I'm excited to meet them," he declared. "I am waiting for them to rock up at training."
Goodwin is a play-it-as-he-sees-it footballer.
He doesn't care for reputations or expectations.
"I focus on myself and do what I do best," he said.
Teammates, regardless of their pedigree, are treated equally.
"You just have to believe in yourself," Goodwin said. "Have the mindset that you can do what you do best when you jump on the field. Back yourself against any opposition."
Goodwin, at 16 years and 106 days, became the youngest to play for the Jets when introduced for the final five minutes of the 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory on February 21.
Such has been his development, the scholarship-holder finished the season with eight appearances and ahead of more seasoned strikers Valentino Yuel and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos in the pecking order.
Not only did Goodwin start the final three games, he provided an assist for Roy O'Donovan in a 2-0 win over Central Coast and was the most dangerous on the park in a 1-all draw with Perth.
The Emerging Jets graduate then double-downed and added the club's youngest goal-scorer to his growing list of records, with a sublime strike to help seal a 2-1 win over Melbourne City.
Goodwin has every intention of starting the new season in the same vein as he finished the last.
Relinquishing a starting spot is not in the equation.
"I am always aiming high," the year 11 student at Newcastle High School said. "I am pushing myself as hard as I can at training and trying to impress the boss.
"Hopefully he looks at me for a starting position. That is what I am aiming for. I want to be the number one striker."
The Jets are five weeks into the pre-season - Goodwin's first with the A-League squad.
"There has been a lot of changes," he said. "It is a new team, a new start. There is a lot young energy. Training has been intense. It has been tough but we are getting through it. It has just been a great environment."
Speed - of the players and the ball - appears to be a key component of the style of game that new coach Arthur Papas is implementing at the Jets.
"The boss wants me to do what I do best," Goodwin said. "I have some speed and can hopefully use that with the way he wants to play.
"It is still early in the season and we are still getting used to the way he wants to play. It will take time but eventually we will get there. I think it will create a lot of goals. There is a lot for the fans to look forward to."
Goodwin, who turns 17 in November, is juggling pre-season training with school work.
The COVID-19 lockdown has been helpful on that front.
"It is probably easier," Goodwin said. "School is all online at the moment. When I get home I jump on for some of my classes. I am doing a HSC subject at the moment - PDHPE - so I am focusing on that.
"I am lucky enough to go to Newcastle High and have some really supportive teachers. They have created a supportive environment for me. I get home, shoot them a message and they jump on zoom and catch me up with whatever I have missed.
"I have set up to do part-time learning for next two years so I can focus on my football. You don't get these opportunities very often, so I want to take it while I have got it."
