Newcastle firebrand Daniel Georgievski insists the A-League title challengers have learned from their mistakes and will show no mercy to a Brisbane Roar "in all sorts of strife."
The Jets were outplayed by Central Coast in Tuesday night's F3 Derby but capitalised on their chances after a red card to Mariners veteran Josh Rose and won 2-0 to consolidate second position on the ladder.
Fullback Georgievski promised the Jets would not be so slow out of the blocks again in Friday's home clash against the Roar.
"Every game is a learning curve and we definitely are looking to not repeat that," Georgievski told reporters on Thursday.
"Brisbane, they're in all sorts of strife. That's up to them, that's got nothing to do with us.
"This year they've obviously thought that getting more experienced players, they'd be better.
"It probably hasn't worked out for them. That's why they've changed their formation so many times.
"For us, we just look for the next game ... history has shown we will overcome whatever they bring.
"Regardless of who the team is, we're going to stick to our structure and try to do what we've been doing. That's why we are where we are."
Georgievski predicted "spectacular" things to come from new Argentine import Pato Rodriguez, who will be handed his first start in place of former Brisbane youth product Joe Champness, who has joined the Olyroos squad in China.
Rodriguez -- an injury replacement for Ronald Vargas -- scored on debut off the bench against the Mariners with a cool one-on-one finish.
Brisbane, meanwhile, regain skipper Matt McKay and key defender Avraam Papadopoulos from suspension.
French attacker Eric Bautheac is also set for his first start since early December while Ivan Franjic (quad) and Shannon Brady (foot) are back from injury.
However, Corey Gamiero (groin) is out, Corey Brown (ill) in doubt and Connor O'Toole needs to pass one more concussion test to confirm his place.
Coach John Aloisi believes the injury-smashed Roar are much better than their recent results have shown.
"We've been unfortunate that things haven't been going our way, but things will go our way," Aloisi said.
"Things do turn. You can't play this well for it not to turn."
STATS THAT MATTER:
- Brisbane has lost just one of their last four matches at McDonald Jones Stadium -- a 4-0 defeat in round two of last season
- No player has been fouled more times this season than Brisbane Roar's Fahid Ben Khalfallah (43)
- Newcastle averages 155 passes per goal, the lowest number of any team, making them the A-League's most efficient attacking side