Under pressure Central Coast Mariners striker Dylan Macallister believes his luck is due for a change.
Macallister, who had major shoulder surgery in the pre-season, is still to find the back of the net ten rounds into the Hyundai A-League season.
But the powerful front man is confident the goal drought will come to an end when the Mariners tackle a struggling Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
Macallister came off the bench in the Mariners disappointing 1-1 draw with North Queensland at Gosford last week and is again expected to get plenty of game time against the Roar.
“I think it’s only a matter of time,” Macallister said on his lack of goals this term, a problem that’s hit the entire Mariners side as they’ve scored just nine times from 10 matches, the lowest of any side in the top six.
“I’m doing well at training. I’m trying not to think about it (not scoring) too much.”
“I started the season off a bit slower after the surgery and was on the bench a fair bit.”
While the lack of goals is a concern, Macallister has been reasonably happy with his form. For a big man he has good skills and holds the ball up well.
“I always try to play to my strengths,” he said.
Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna believes Macallister will find the net regularly once he opens his account.
“It’s a confidence thing with Dylan,” McKinna said.
“He scored for the Youth team a couple of weeks ago and since then his form has improved.”
“All he needs is one goal and he’s working very hard to get it. He’s got the ability.”
McKinna said Saturday night’s showdown with the Roar was one of his club’s most important of the season so far.
The Mariners are in fifth place, only one point ahead of the sixth-placed Brisbane side, but have not won a game since smashing the Gold Coast 3-0 in Round 7.
