Emile Heskey

Last role of the dice: Coach Gary van Egmond briefs British import Emile Heskey. Photo: Max Mason Hubers



Jets coach Gary van Egmond does not believe his future hinges on beating Western Sydney Wanderers at Hunter Stadium on Friday but said that decision was out of his hands.


The Jets enter the final round in eighth place on 31 points. To sneak into the top six they need to upset the league leaders and have other results go their way.


If they fall short, it will be the third straight year - and second under van Egmond - that the club has failed to feature in the finals.


The past two years they have finished seventh. After inheriting the squad from sacked coach Branko Culina last season, van Egmond spent the off-season reshaping the roster. The 2008 championship-winning boss discarded 10 players and brought in highly rated youngsters targeted to carry out his up-tempo possession-based game. The last-minute recruitment of former England international Emile Heskey forced an adjustment in playing style. After winning three of the first four games, the Jets have travelled inside the six for all but six rounds.


''People are always going to judge, whether it was on the first year or this year,'' van Egmond said on Wednesday. ''My position is to ensure we keep on working towards the club philosophy and the vision of the club. Management will decide if they want to keep me on or not.''


The Jets are coming off a 2-1 loss to Perth and 1-1 draw with Adelaide. They could have earned maximum points from both and been safely in the six. Although Heskey returns to add power and height, van Egmond said they don't have to change a great deal. ''If we keep on doing what we have been doing, we are a real good chance of winning,'' he said.