Australia NewsDutchy: Kaz Must Think Big |
EXCLUSIVE: Newcastle Jets starlet Kaz Patafta needs to think big if he's going to make a success of his A-League career, boss Gary van Egmond has warned.
To see Newcastle Jets' latest training session...
The pocket rocket - signed from Portuguese giants Benfica after his loan spell at Melbourne Victory came to an end - is desperately trying to pile on the muscle to cope with the physical side of the A-League.
He was a surprise omission from the side that was thumped 5-0 by his old club in Melbourne at the weekend.
But van Egmond says Kaz still has a lot to learn before he can force his way into a Jets midfield packed with talent.
Korean ace Jin-Hyung Song has had a huge impact on the Newcastle side this season and Olyroo James Holland has laid claim to the second attacking midfield role.
Van Egmond defended his decision to drop him from the side last weekend and said Patafta needed to work on his technique as well as his strength.
"Kaz has been doing quite well but he knows he's got things to work on, not the least his size and the way his head is in regards to his size," said van Egmond.
"He feels he needs to put some bulk on which will obviously help him psychologically.
"But he's got to look at being a lot more aggressive in his manner when we don't have the ball.
"And when we do have the ball, where there are times we have to protect it, he's still got to utilise his body better."
To see Newcastle Jets' latest training session...
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