Newcastle Jets captain Michael Bridges has likened the situation of the club to that of English outfit Leeds United. At the end of the 2003/04 English Premier League season, Leeds fell into financial ruin due to enormous debts and were forced to sell their most valuable players as they dealt with being relegated to the Championship.

Bridges was 23 at the time and said he wasn't too sure what to do but was glad he had great leadership from the more experienced players at Elland Road.

"We had a good captain, Lucas Radebe, and a lot of senior boys like David Batty, Nigel Martyn, people we could look up to," Bridges told the Newcastle Herald.

"They handled the brunt of it and led by example. We just followed like sheep."

Bridges admits with that experience, he has been able to play that paternal role at Newcastle as they deal with their own problems.

"It is an easy bunch of lads to look after," he added.

"There are a lot of talented boys here, but there is no arrogance or big-time Charlies, that is how we have been able to keep things under wraps and get on with it.

"Our spirit is incredibly strong."