JETS coach Arthur Papas is backing Beka Mikeltadze in the race for the A-League Golden Boot as the in-form striker gets ready to smash the club record for most goals in a season.
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Mikeltadze, the Georgian international who joined Newcastle as a virtual unknown at the start of this campaign, scored a hat-trick in Sunday's 6-1 win against Perth Glory to take his goal tally to 12 in 18 games.
Only Melbourne City's prolific Socceroo Jamie Maclaren, with 14 goals in 22 games, has found the net more frequently this season.
With six regular-season games left, plus potentially finals appearances, Mikeltadze is on track to set a new Jets record for most goals scored in a season.
Club legend Joel Griffiths (2007-08) and Socceroo Adam Taggart (2013-14) share the benchmark with 14 goals apiece, both earning the A-League Golden Boot for their efforts.
Papas has no doubt the best is yet to come from Mikeltadze and that he will be intent on proving himself the best sharpshooter in the competition.
"I definitely think he's one of the best strikers in the league, with a lot of growth still within him," Papas said after Sunday's victory.
"He's 24 years old. First time playing outside of Europe, and he's come here and works so hard ... with most players you don't want to put a ceiling on where they can go.
"I just know that technically, he's right up there with players that I've worked with.
"His attitude and mentality towards football is that he's so focused on being the best he can. There's a lot of growth in him. We caught up this week and spoke about areas in his game that I think he can still improve.
"Where that takes him is up to him."
Asked if being in contention for the Golden Boot would motivate Mikeltadze, Papas replied: "Absolutely. Knowing Beka as a character, he's hungry to score more goals.
"He plays for the team and does everything for the team, but he's desperate to score more goals, I know that.
"It will be interesting to see how he continues for the rest of the season."
Mikletadze's combination with Brazilian playmaker Daniel Penha, who scored a double against Perth, has given Newcastle an attacking dimension not seen since the likes of Dimi Petratos, Andrew Nabbout, Roy O'Donovan and Riley McGree took the Jets to the 2017-18 grand final.
Newcastle have scored 36 goals in 20 games this season. Only competition leaders Melbourne City, with 52 goals in 24 games, have better attacking statistics.
Yet the Jets are currently ninth on the points table, albeit with games in hand that could potentially propel them into the top six.
"Scoring goals is critical, obviously, in the way we want to play," Papas said. "To transform the dynamic of what was here and what we want to become doesn't necessarily mean you'll be in the finals.
"But the more goals we score, the more likelihood that we'll be in with a shot."
Newcastle's next assignment is another home game on Saturday, this time against third-placed Melbourne Victory, who last week scored a resounding 3-0 win against Melbourne City.
Papas acknowledged the Victory would be a step up from last-placed Perth.
"We've got to prepare for what is going to be a very tough game," he said.
