Football
Matt Encarnacion 4y

Misfiring Jets refuse to panic in A-League

Newcastle midfielder Steven Ugarkovic is adamant more composure will cure their goalscoring woes and ignite their frustrating start to the season.

The Jets will be looking to end a frustrating winless opening month of the A-League campaign when they visit new boys Western United on Saturday night.

And they'll enter the clash with one of the most wayward attacks in the league after converting just four of their 56 attempts on goal so far.

It is the equal-worst strike rate in the league alongside Melbourne Victory.

"Personally I think it's about keeping calm when the ball comes to you and find the right areas to be in," Ugarkovic told reporters on Friday.

"Boys are getting in there. Like, (Nick Fitzgerald) had two-three clear chances.

"And credit to him, he's getting in those positions. But he's just got to, I feel, stay calm. And the other boys, just stay calm in front of goal and it'll come."

While the gap between the top six could reach seven points with another defeat, Ugarkovic denied Newcastle needed to show more desperation.

"I think we've showed a lot of desperation in defence and attack," Ugarkovic said.

"It's more to the side of keeping our heads in those positions, picking up the corners, and finding the back of the net.

"I think that will be more an accurate statement, not more desperation, because boys are giving everything they can to get into those positions.

"And it's just a bit of luck, or a bit of finishing, that has hurt us in the past."

Ugarkovic laid on their lone goal for Jason Hoffman against Perth last week.

"Me and Jason spoke about that actually a few days before the game, where we can exploit (the Glory)," he said.

"We made that eye contact and it came off. It's something that we work on.

"We try and get the ball to those front players in behind and making those runs so when it comes off, it looks good but it's all credit down to Jason."

The Jets will be relying on some fresh blood, with Bobby Burns, Abdiel Arroyo and Matt Ridenton away on international duty.

Western United are without Josh Risdon, but get a huge boost by the return of veteran marksman Besart Berisha from injury.

STATS THAT MATTER

* The Jets remain without a win to start the season. Their longest winless start to a season is 10 games back in 2014-15.

* Western United lead the league with 61 tackles won.

* Western United star Alessandro Diamani has a league-high eight shots from outside the box already this season.

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