Jets losing thrust in the campaign to make playoffs

MELBOURNE Victory’s tight win over Newcastle is a crucial win in the context of the ALeague title race.

Victory star James Troisi’s unstoppable Saturday night strike, four minutes from time, kept his team in touch with runaway leaders Perth, already three points clear.

But that same strike had dire consequences further down the table, with the Jets battling to stay in touch with the top six.

The gulf between sixthplaced Adelaide United and seventh-placed Newcastle is seven points, leading Ernie Merrick to concede an uphill battle for his struggling side.

“There’s no doubt the gap is getting bigger,” Merrick said.

“The sixth team won again which (was) Wellington Phoenix who are playing really well.

“The gap is getting larger. (We’re) playing so well and, yet, we concede goals from fewer shots than we create.”

While he said his returning forwards meant the Jets had “a good enough squad to beat anyone”, without a quick uptick in results, there was no sign of the finals race becoming interesting any time soon.

The Jets, Wanderers (eighth), Brisbane (ninth) and Central Coast (last) have all failed to win at least their past four matches.

Melbourne City (fourth), Wellington (fifth) and Adelaide are each unbeaten in at least four.

It means the primary interest is going to be in the finishing places of the top six, and Victory coach Kevin Muscat says the Round 13 ramifications mean little to him.

“It’s important to put on a performance and put on a performance that earns us three points,” Muscat said.

“In relation to next week, next month and three or four months’ time, it’s way too early to be looking too far down the tunnel.”

Victory played within itself, when goals from Terry Antonis and Troisi earned the club a 2-1 win.