An avalanche of goals but still some clean sheets to end the season: The A-League players who were the difference in Round 26
Joe Lolley was outstanding for the Sky Blues, scoring a brace as Sydney FC equaled their biggest ever victory.
Newcastle Jets coach Branko Culina says the struggling A-League club’s financial woes are weighing on the minds of some players.
The Jets had to get a $300,000 loan from Football Federation Australia last week in order to pay players and staff, and the issue of money woes looms large as the team also languishes on the field.
Adelaide United eclipsed the Jets 2-1 at Hindmarsh Stadium on Saturday night, leaving Newcastle winless from five games this season.
Culina has urged his charges to try and ignore the monetary crisis.
“You don’t want to think about it, you want to try and put that aside,” he said.
“If you get bogged down thinking about it, we’re never going to dig ourselves out of this situation.
“We didn’t want to use that, we don’t want excuses.
“I think some of the players, it didn’t bother them, but obviously others may have been affected.”
On-field, Culina’s problems also run deep, notably a lack of scoring power returning a meagre two goals from five matches this season.
“It was pretty obvious, we lacked that cutting edge up front,” he said.
“We don’t have that at the moment.
“At the start, you are optimistic that the players will develop and grow but confidence is an enormous factor with human beings.
“It’s fair to say we just lack that cutting in edge in front of goals, because to score two goals in five games is not enough for the type of football that we play and the opportunities that we create.
“At the end of the day, you need an individual who is going to make a difference.”
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