Central Coast Mariners star Danny De Silva admits a lack of cutting edge in attack has cruelled his side’s “up and down” Hyundai A-League season.
The Mariners sit second bottom with just eight matches remaining and have scored just 19 goals for the season, the fewest in the competition.
The departures of Spanish striker Asdrubal and winger Kwabena Appiah hasn’t helped, along with injuries to Connor Pain and Blake Powell.
Paul Okon’s side have shown glimpses of their fluent attack throughout the campaign and remain the only side to have beaten runaway leaders Sydney FC.
But De Silva conceded the Mariners need to sharpen up in the front third, starting with Sunday’s away trip to Adelaide United.
“We’re a good team, I think we’ve played really good football in all the games that we’ve played,” De Silva told reporters on Thursday.
“The only thing that’s let us down this season is the finishing and the goals, so we’re just trying to get some goals.
“We want to score more and just be really attacking and take the game to them. They’re the home team but we’re going to play like we’re the home team.”
In a blow for the visitors, ever-present central defender Antony Golec will miss the clash due to suspension.
Golec, 27, has started in all 19 games for the Mariners this season, the only player to do so.
New signing Jacob Poscoliero is set to step into defence and De Silva is confident he can deliver a positive contribution.
“Posco’s been great in training and everything, and while it’s obviously a shame to lose Golec I think Posco can do the job,” De Silva said.
“He’s shown some class in training and things like that, so we’ll see him in action on the weekend and hopefully that’ll be alright for him.
“We have good depth in the squad, and everyone’s prepared if they need to play.”
