Central Coast Mariners coach Phil Moss says he is planning to bring in a couple of attacking reinforcements to kick-start his side’s Hyundai A-League season.
The Mariners have struggled for goals all season and again drew a blank in Thursday night’s turgid 0-0 draw with Western Sydney Wanderers FC at Pirtek Stadium.
They have managed just 10 goals from 13 matches this season, with Matt Simon (four) the only one who has had an impact in front of goal.
With imports Malick Mane and now Korean Kim Seung-Yong departing the club, the Mariners have room to move in the January transfer window to bolster their attacking options.
“I’m certainly in the process of signing at least one if not two in the front third,” Moss revealed.
“One will probably be a local and the other I’m hoping from overseas. We’re working hard at the moment.
“I’ve got a lot of good contacts in England and Holland as well so we’ll see what comes out of the woodwork in the next couple of weeks.
“But certainly we need some support for our front boys and someone that’s a proven goal-scorer.”
While the Mariners have now gone two games unbeaten either side of New Year’s Eve, their winless run in the league has extended to 12 matches.
With just nine points from 13 matches, they are seven points behind their next opponent Melbourne City in sixth spot, who have a game in hand.
“It’s not concerning but it’s not great,” Moss said of their long winless run.
“None of us are happy with that. We work our backsides off every week to win football games on the weekend and I don’t think we’re getting the results our performances deserve.
“But you go into our dressing room and it’s a very positive place. I won’t say happy because you can’t be when you’re not winning games but we’re all on the same page and you can see the effort out there tonight was phenomenal in tough conditions.”
While disappointed not to have got on the scoresheet again, Moss said he was happier with his side’s ability to keep a clean sheet.
“We’ve conceded seven goals in the last two games which is uncharacteristic for us,” Moss said.
“That was a real target for us to get a clean sheet and give us a chance to win the game.
“I said to the boys to stay concentrated for 95 minutes and we’ll get something out of the game. It was a big target reached tonight.”
