A-League: Jets stick to flight path in race for finals spot

The Jets missed a golden chance to close in on the A-League top six when held to a scoreless stalemate by the Mariners on Friday, despite dominating for the greater part.

The point edged them to 28 points and they can climb to 34 with wins in remaining fixtures against Western United (August 2) and Wellington (August 11).

Western United (30 points) leapfrogged the Jets into seventh after a 2-1 win over Melbourne Victory on Saturday night. Sixth-placed Adelaide drew 1-all with Wellington to move to 31 points. Western United have five games to play, Adelaide have three.

"We have two games to play. Who knows in football," Robinson said. "I said [before the Mariners] we could win three games and that might not be enough. We might win two games and it might not be enough, but it might be enough. We knew from day one, we were probably on the outside looking in."

READ MORE: JETS PLAY-OFF HOPES DENTED

There are five games this week before the Jets shape up against Western United at home on Sunday and Robinson will have a better understanding on the final equation.

"The issue we have is that teams have games in hand," the coach said. "If they take care of their business, then we are out of the equation. We see will sit back and see what happens."

Mariners coach Alen Stajcic, though satisfied to "put a dampener of the Jets finals hopes" believes their rivals can still be a force if they sneak into the play-offs.

"You have to give credit to Newcastle, they have put together a really good squad," Stajcic said. "They beat Melbourne City and Sydney in the last couple of games and if they make the finals I really think they can contend and be among the top two or three."

Regardless, it won't change the way the Jets play. Robinson has introduced a possession and it was in full effect against the Mariners. They crafted 10 shots but were left down by poor crossing and the lack of a killer punch in the final third.

"We have come away from home, we have had 65 to 70 per cent of the ball - 75 per cent in the first half - which shows you clearly how we are going to play," Robinson said. "We have not won the game, but we have not lost the game and we are disappointed, which shows how far they have come. The Mariners were very happy to draw the game.

"I won't fault the players effort. I thought they were terrific. I made it clear how I want my players to play and they executed it. The attitude and application was spot on ... but in the final third we weren't good enough and that's an area we need to improve."

The Jets will be without explosive right back Matt Millar for the run home after he strained his hamstring.

"Managers usually make changes based on performance," Robinson said. "They have been great in these two games over three days. They have given me absolutely everything I could ask. There are a few little injuries. Bernie is not fully fit. Dimi is certainly not fully fit and Matty Millar has a hamstring strain. There might be some enforced changes. If that is the case, we won't change the way we play, the personnel will change."

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