Central Coast Mariners coach Paul Okon admits a simple shortage of firepower is costing his team in their bid to challenge for the top six.
The Mariners were dealt a heavy 5-2 defeat by Melbourne Victory on Sunday to stay just three points ahead of bottom-placed Wellington Phoenix.
Connor Pain grabbed two late consolations for the visitors, but only after several earlier chances to press for a result had gone begging.
“I thought at times we were really good with the ball and we dominated Victory,” Okon said.
“And through our domination we created those opportunities to score. It hasn’t been any different in, I would say, 95 per cent of games this season.
“But you have to have that quality to convert those opportunities into goals.
“Obviously that translates into having a bigger opportunity to win games, more points, higher up the ladder. It’s not rocket science.
“I reckon I wouldn’t be far off saying our average age today was close to 21, 22.
“That’s where the club is at the moment. It gives those opportunities and we’ll continue to do that.”
Central Coast’s tough afternoon was compounded by a potentially serious injury to Antony Golec.
Preliminary reports suggest the defender fractured his left tibia in a collision with Lawrence Thomas, but Okon says the concerning first-half incident was not an excuse for the result.
“I haven’t asked the players but I would not think that had a big impact,” he said.
