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No goals but no panic at Melbourne City

26th February, 2015
8

Melbourne City’s barren run in front of goal has stretched to three games in succession, but coach John van’t Schip isn’t panicking just yet.

City have scored just two goals in 2015, in their 2-1 win against Western Sydney, while failing to hit the back of the net in four other matches for two losses and two draws.

Van’t Schip’s side has fallen to seventh on the ladder on the back of the dry spell, but the coach is confident the drought will be broken with some patience and a bit more luck.

“I would be more worried if we weren’t creating anything, not dominating and not playing in the opponent’s half,” van’t Schip said on Thursday.

“Statistics show us that that’s not the case.

“There’s always periods in a season (where that happens). I remember not long ago we had 18 games in a row where we were scoring goals, so we should not make an issue of those things.

“We’ve had the opportunities, we’ve had the chances and we’re creating them, but it’s just having patience and being more calm in the moments that we get there.”

City don’t have a player in the top 10 scorers in the A-League this season with Aaron Mooy leading the club with four.

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Van’t Schip has had to deal with more than his fair share of injuries, including the long-term absence of Irish winger Damien Duff, but he remains confident there are plenty of goals to be had from the attacking options he still has at his disposal.

Australian marquee signing Josh Kennedy is yet to find the net in three games for his new club, but van’t Schip is pleased with the progress his striker is making after an extended period on the sidelines.

“Both Josh and I know that he’s not 100 per cent yet,” he said.

“What he showed in the first half (of the 0-0 draw against Perth Glory) is promising. He has to get fitter and stronger and he’s on his way to that.

“We also have to be careful because we know that he’s coming from a long period of not playing. Expectations on him are high, but he has very high expectations on himself.

“I think we’re going the right way with him.”

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