ERNIE Merrick is adamant the goals will come if the Jets continue to produce the exciting, open brand of football that has gone largely unrewarded this season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Entering Sunday's blockbuster at home against Melbourne City, the Jets have averaged a league-high 17 shots per game. Nearly 50% of the attempts have been on target yet they have only scored eight goals, including a paltry four from open play.
"We are doing something right because we are getting the ball into the box, we are getting shots off, some are blocked, some are slightly off target, some are on target," Merrick said. "I don't think we have any problems with confidence or belief in our ability, otherwise we wouldn't be playing like this.
"What we need to do is create even more chances and get the players to select the right options - should they shoot?, should they cross? should they make a pass? - and just keep hammering it at training because we are on the right track.
"Once we get a couple of goals, they will flow."
Long-term injuries to Wes Hoolahan and Kaine Sheppard, and now Abdiel Arroyo have had an impact.
Sheppard played eight minutes off the bench in the unlucky 2-1 loss to Adelaide last round.
The two imports, who along with Dimi Petratos were to spearhead the Jets' attack, are at least a month off returning.
Merrick will look at bringing in a player during the transfer window but wasn't confident that the "quality and type of player we want will be available".
"The transfer window is in January and not long after that we should have Arroyo back, maybe Wes back. Kaine is now fit." he added.
In the meantime, Merrick will focus on the players at his disposal.
Angus Thurtgate has been a revelation since deployed in a more attacking role in the past three games. Nick Fitzgerald, Jason Hoffman and Dimi Petratos have also regularly threatened.
"I think we have got the right people in the right places," he said. "I have a pretty good record of picking good strikers. They might not be ready-made strikers but they have developed into them. I think we have a few boys who will be good goal-scorers. They understand the areas they have got to get into, the timing of getting in there and the fact that it is often no more than two touches.
"I have to say, I have been very impressed with Angus Thurgate. He plays as a false nine alongside Dimi but slightly ahead of him. He knows when to break forward and he is really good at turning with his back to players and getting a shot off. He had a couple of really good shots against Adelaide which were saved. On another day they would have gone in.
"With high, wide players like Jason Hoffman and Nick Fitzgerald, I thought the forward line with Dimi in behind are doing really well. They just have to finish."
Merrick rated the Jets' loss to Adelaide as "one of the best football performances I have seen".
"The boys were very frustrated and very flat after the game," he said. "But they have picked up again this week as they always do."
Sunday's opponent, Melbourne City, sit in second place on 16 points, twice as many as the Jets and have scored double the goals.
"They score goals but they also concede them," Merrick said. "They play a very open brand under the French coach, Erick Mombaerts, who does a good job. That suits our style of play especially at home."
"We have a good squad, we just have to finish things off. Maybe Santa Claus might be able to help there."
