ATTACK has always come naturally for Matthew Ridenton. It's at the other end of the pitch where the Jets midfielder has had to put in the work.
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That persistence - grind - is starting to reap rewards.
The 23-year-old has been one of the Jets' better performers in the opening two rounds and is set to earn a call-up to the New Zealand side for friendlies against Ireland and Lithuania in Europe next month.
His statistics, especially in the defensive columns, are way up on last season.
The wiry utility has averaged 3.5 intercepts per game (up from 0.8), is tackling at 83% efficiency and has won 56 % of duels.
His passing accuracy has jumped from 75% to 88%, while only Dimi Petratos and Matt Millar have had more touches and delivered more crosses.
"You always want to improve your game and keep adding things," Ridenton said. "I worked very hard in the pre-season. Growing up, I was more of an attack-minded player. I always want the ball at my feet. As you come into the professional ranks, you have to adjust your game. I am always trying to improve my defensive game. I have always had good fitness, it is about being in the right positions. That comes with experience as well. You are better at reading the play a little bit more and knowing when to use your energy."
Collectively the Jets have set out to be more aggressive and win the ball further up the field.
"If we can be really hard-working, and the opposition knows they are under a lot of pressure when they are playing us, that will be a benefit," Ridenton said. "That is something we have been working on in the pre-season. We want to try and win the ball higher up the pitch and create more opportunities."
However, there have been times, especially in the 2-l loss to Adelaide, where Ridenton and Steve Ugarkovic pushed too far forward.
It's an aspect they need to correct before Friday night's away clash against Sydney, who are explosive in transition.
"One of us has to be a bit more disciplined," Ridenton said. "Naturally, we both want to get forward and join the attack and use our energy going up and down. The second half against Adelaide we got stretched as a team. Steve and I, maybe sometimes have to just sit in the middle and protect. Absorb a bit of pressure and be fine about not having the ball.
"We just have to keep improving, especially against a team like Sydney. You know they are going to have some of the ball and that is when we have to be good at getting back into our shape and being hard to break down."
The New Zealand team will be formally announced on November 7, but the Jets are expecting Ridenton to add to his five caps for the All Whites.
"I went to the last camp in India in June last year before I came to the Jets and it would be nice to be involved again," Ridenton said. "The Ireland game is one that everyone has been looking forward to. You want to be playing against those sort of teams."
It will be the first hit outs under new New Zealand coach Danny Hay and assistant Neil Emblem.
"Hopefully I'm included," Ridenton said. "Now I am a bit older, I want to be pushing for a starting position, especially coming into a new World Cup cycle. You want to put your best foot forward and impress the new coach."
Meanwhile, former Jets winger Jair has started a trial with the Central Coast. The Brazilian scored two goals in 20 appearances for the Jets last season.
