Defensive stability and a more assured touch in front of goal are the priorities for newly confirmed Melbourne City boss Michael Valkanis as he prepares his team for a challenging away fixture against Newcastle Jets.
Under Mark Jones, the much-improved Jets have been matching up well against some of the title contenders this season, and while last week's loss to Western Sydney was a setback, the Novocastrians still have hopes of crashing the A-League's finals party for the first time in years.
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City received a boost with Melbourne Victory's back-to-back losses in Wellington and Perth, which mean Victory no longer have a game in hand on them and remain six points clear. The final Melbourne derby of the season is on Saturday week.
Valkanis was officially confirmed in the job as City coach until the end of the season this week.
![Nicolas Colazo: Finding form, according to Melbourne City's new coach Michael Valkanis.](/web/20170126113912im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/3/e/q/8/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gtz074.png/1485397929861.jpg)
While most pundits predict that the fabulously wealthy CFG will appoint a big-name overseas coach for next season, Valkanis will be out to prove to his bosses that he can do the job just as well.
There is no better job application than winning, and he has got off to a reasonable start with two wins and an unlucky loss.
This game, and the upcoming derby, will illustrate a lot more about Valkanis' tactical approach and his man management and motivational skills.
City travelled to Coffs Harbour, where this game is taking place, on Thursday and were due to train at the match venue on Thursday night.
Before leaving, Valkanis flagged a slight tweaking to the starting line-up compared with the one that defeated Central Coast 2-1 last time out. But he stressed that he wants to build a stable defence, continue with the high pressing style introduced this season by predecessor John van 't Schip and hope that his potent forward line can produce some sharper finishing.
"There won't be much change to the squad or the line-up," he said. "I think the boys played very well against the Mariners, dominated the game, created a lot of chances and could have scored more goals.
"We need to find some consistency for the team (players) in terms of playing time. That's the one thing that was lacking a little bit early on in the season because of the scheduling, with the FFA Cup ties, and some injuries.
"We need to stick with the same formation and settle down, with a back four playing together and the attackers to convert more of the chances they are manufacturing.
"That's something that we have worked on. We have focussed on our style, to get from A to B to C. We are at C, but now we have to execute better in front of goal. It's finding that last run, that final pass.
"Nicolas Colazo is finding form, Fernando Brandan is trying to after missing some time with the red card, while we know the quality of Bruno Fornaroli and Tim Cahill."
Youthful defender Ruon Tongyik could be in line for a recall after Valkanis rested him from the Mariners game. He had impressed after playing every game following his debut against Sydney FC in early December, and if he does come back in then Osama Malik could make way or push into midfield to help contain the Jets attacking threats.
Mark Jones' team have been one of the more attacking sides in the competition this year, having scored 22 goals, making them the fourth highest scorers in the league after 16 rounds. That is only four less than City, who have 26 points, nine more than the Jets.
However they are vulnerable at the back having conceded 28 goals, with only bottom of the table Central Coast (34) and Perth Glory (31) leaking more.
Andrew Nabbout, discarded by Melbourne Victory, has been a revelation after being thrown an A-League lifeline by Jones following a spell in Malaysia as he sought to rebuild his career.
Nabbout has scored five goals from wide areas this season, making him the Jets leading goalscorer. Andrew Hoole has four while Danish international Morton Nordstrand has three.
Jones has already begun planning for next season with the Jets on Wednesday announcing they had captured Dimitri Petratos, Brisbane's 24-year-old attacking midfielder, and his 18 year old brother Kosta (currently at Perth Glory) as new additions for the 2017/18 campaign.