"Of course, you're happy to win games but we're looking further than that" ... Jets striker Ryan Griffiths, centre. Photo: Jonathan Carroll
A WIN against Melbourne Victory tonight would ensure Newcastle's best start to a season but striker Ryan Griffiths says the Jets are far from satisfied.
Gary van Egmond's side has rebounded strongly from an opening-week defeat to Adelaide, with back-to-back wins over NSW rivals Sydney FC and Central Coast earning them a share of top spot on the ladder.
The Jets have never claimed nine points from their opening four games of a campaign but can achieve that with a win over Ange Postecoglou's Victory at Hunter Stadium.
However, in a sign of the side's lofty ambitions, Griffiths insists the Jets have nothing to celebrate as they target more improvement. ''This year I haven't been pleased with one victory because I just want to win every game and I'm pretty sure the whole team is on that page,'' Griffiths said yesterday.
''Of course, you're happy to win games but we're looking further than that. We want to play better football and to win championships, you need to play better football. As long as we keep that mentality and that winning attitude, we should have a good season.''
Griffiths trained fully yesterday and will be fit to face the Victory despite a minor neck problem suffered in his sleep.
He will continue in a combined midfield-striker role to provide support for star signing Emile Heskey, who has hit form quickly, with goals in successive games.
Griffiths said he was loving playing alongside the English Premier League veteran and wasn't surprised how swiftly he had adapted to the A-League.
''I knew it wouldn't take him too long,'' Griffiths said of Heskey.
''He came in with a professional attitude … he didn't over-rate himself to the league and he's done everything perfectly.''
The Jets will again be without defender Scott Neville because of a groin injury, with teenager Josh Brillante likely to start at right back.
The Victory head to Newcastle on the back of a breakthrough 2-1 win against Adelaide United.
Griffiths admitted it was hard to get a form-line on the Victory but said the Jets would not underestimate any side that possessed such attacking potency.
''They definitely have a good strike force, we know that,'' he said.
''They've proven that in the past and those type of players, [Marcos] Flores and Archie [Thompson], are always dangerous.''
Melbourne's Brazilian midfielder, Guilherme Finkler, will miss the clash because of a groin problem, with Mauritius international Jonathan Bru to return the side.
AAP
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