CRAIG Deans has started talks with executive chairman Shane Mattiske about the Jets playing roster for next season, but the coach insists this year is not a write off.
The Jets sit in 11th spot on 11 points, eight points behind sixth-placed Sydney, who have played one less game.
On the cusp of the top six a month ago, the Jets have lost five straight.
They will again be without captain Nigel Boogaard for the visit by Western United on Easter Monday.
Boogaard missed the 2-1 loss to a 10-man Perth on suspension after picking up fifth yellow card of the season in the 4-1 defeat to Adelaide. The centreback also suffered a fracture in his fibula and will be sideline for four weeks.
The skipper heads a list of nine senior players off contract including fellow leaders Roy O'Donovan and Nikolai Topor-Stanley.
Steve Ugarkovic has already committed to Western Sydney, whole Matt Millar is likely to go to England.
"Anyone who is coming off contract is always playing for another contract. That is the reality of professional sport," Deans said.
"It is not a matter of having 12 games to save your career, especially the young players. When you are a younger player, it is a matter of learning every day. We know there is going to be little bumps along the way. It is how they respond and how they come out the other side of the negative moments that says a lot about the character."
We have already spoken about the type of players that we want to bring in and need to bring in.
- Craig Deans
Deans said he has identified the areas that need strengthening.
"We have already spoken about the type of players that we want to bring in and need to bring in," he said. "That goes from discussions among the coaching staff to the board to be approved budget-wise.
"But this season is not gone. It is not a case of lets forget about the next 12 games. You have to do both at the same time. We have to wins some games now and we have to plan for next year."
Dean is six months into a two-year deal - his first in the A-League. A strong second half of the season would help with recruitment and ease pressure on the coach.
"I am not worried about my position," he said. "When you accept a position of head coach you know you won't do it forever. You come to that realisation and you don't worry about it.
"I have had five years in the W-league with a very limited budget and finding it difficult to win games. I understand how all this works. I won't panic."
Meanwhile, Tete Yengi has pushed his claims for a recall to the A-League squad by scoring seven goals for the youth team in their 14-0 annihilation of Western Rage in the NSW NPL 4 on Sunday.
OFF CONTRACT: Nigel Boogaard, Jack Duncan, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Ali Abbas, Roy O'Donovan, Lachy Jackson, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, Steve Ugarkovic, Matt Millar, Tete Yengi (scholarship), Jack Simmons (scholarship), Ramy Najjarine (on loan), Luka Prso (on loan), Syahrian Abimany (on loan), Liridon Krasniqui (on loan).
ON CONTRACT: Lewis Italiano, Johnny Koutroumbis, Jason Hoffman, Ben Kantarovski, Lucas Mauragis, Valentino Yuel, Angus Thurgate, Connor O'Toole, Kosta Petratos, Makis Petratos, Joe Champness (on loan to Roar), James Donachie (on loan Goa), Noah James (on loan Wanderers), Archie Goodwin, Blake Archibold (scholarship).
