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Western Sydney captain Dylan McGowan believes the hostile reception awaiting the Wanderers and new coach Carl Robinson in Newcastle will be the first of many.
Western Sydney being viewed as A-League villains in 2021 is fine with captain Dylan McGowan if it gives the competition some much-needed exposure.
Carl Robinson's team will face Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday night in a game that has become a full-blown rivalry following the Welshman's decision to quit the Jets for the Wanderers in October.
The game is a return to Newcastle for Bernie Ibini, less than a month after the ex-Socceroo quit the Jets to link up Robinson in a move that was criticised heavily by Jets' chief executive Lawrie McKinna.
Ibini is one of several new arrivals since Robinson took charge, with Adelaide and Central Coast fans also miffed after James Troisi and Ziggy Gordon were lured to Wanderland.
Newly appointed skipper McGowan accepts hostile receptions are something his teammates are going to have to get used to this season.
"In most games this season there's going to be a few little subplots that we're going to have to deal with," the 29-year-old told AAP.
"Obviously there's a bit of history now between us and the Jets. That just adds to the spectacle.
"Hopefully it brings more fans in, it brings more eyes on the TV game.
"Anything like that is good for the A-League at the moment.
"We're happy to play our role in that and hopefully, like I said, we can perform on Friday night and get the win for those guys."
Beaten 1-0 in their season opener against expansion club Macarthur, the Wanderers have added Bruce Kamau to their squad to face the Jets.
Newcastle, meanwhile, are looking to bounce back after a derby loss to the Mariners and have veteran captain Nigel Boogaard back from suspension.
Friday's game will also be the start of a new era for the Jets after absentee owner Martin Lee had his licence terminated and a new licence was acquired by a consortium of A-League clubs including the Wanderers.
KEY MATCH STATS
* Newcastle are undefeated in eight matches against the Wanderers, last losing to them in round 25 of the 2016-17 season.
* The Jets have never started an A-League season with back-to-back defeats.
* Irish forward Roy O'Donovan has scored three goals and made one assist in his past three appearances for the Jets against the Wanderers.
