ROY O'Donovan has no doubts that the goals will flow.
For now the Newcastle Jets spearhead is content to adjust to a slightly different role and a new strike partner in Valentino Yuel.
The Jets have scored 11 goals in the past three pre-season friendlies but O'Donovan is yet to hit the target.
The Irishman hopes to correct that statistic against the Brisbane Roar in Coffs Harbour on Saturday.
"I would rather go through a lean spell now," O'Donovan said after a final training session in Coffs Harbour on Friday. "It's not like I have missed a heap of chances. I'd like to be getting a few more. That comes back to the point that we are trying a few different things, trying to service the strikers in a slightly different way. I have no doubts that when I get chances I will score goals. I have always been like that. I'm not going to lose sleep over it at the moment."
O'Donovan has averaged 10 goals a season for the past four and while he will again lead the line for Newcastle, he has made adjustments to his game.
"We are trying to evolve our playing style," O'Donovan said. "We are trying to get people playing different roles in a different way, myself included. They want me to link play a bit more than I have done in years gone by. Not run into wide areas as much, conserve energy for scoring goals and maybe create more goals. It's new for me, but it's a great challenge.
"There is some really good, young talent there and some fresh legs. It's a good mix. It's just getting used to different combinations with different people. That does take a little bit of time on the training park and on the field. But we are going in the right direction, no doubt."
The Jets are coming off back-to-back 3-all draws with Macarthur and Melbourne City and are searching for their first win against A-League opposition in the pre-season. They only have one game remaining after the Roar against Wellington Phoenix at McDonald Jones Stadium next Saturday.
"Of course we want to win, but it's not the most important thing at this stage," O'Donovan said. "We have three weeks until the season starts. We need to put it all together now and go into the season looking and playing like the team we want to be."
Until now, Brisbane have been restricted to playing friendlies against National Premier League teams in Queensland due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Former Jet Joey Champness scored a hat-trick and one-time Socceroo Scott McDonald netted a brace in a 5-2 win over a Queensland All Star side last weekend.
"They have retained 90 per cent of squad from last season," said O'Dovovan, who spent six months in the Queensland capital before returning to Newcastle in the January transfer window. "Their back five is the same, two of the midfielders are the same ... It should be a good challenge for both teams."
The Jets have spent four days in Coffs Harbour.
"It has been good for everyone to be together, live in each other's pocket for a while. The boys are in good spirits for tomorrow."
IN THE NEWS:
- Nudes and bank details: Hunter businesses hit in social media scam
- Environmental educator Brian Gilligan dead at 72
- Murder charge over Danielle Easey's death as allegation upgraded
- 'Not a bad thing': Mitchell Pearce on pressure for Knights to achieve
.
