Newcastle coach Gary van Egmond admits concern about his free-scoring team's inability to keep a clean sheet, but says there's plenty of upside for his high-flying Jets.
The Jets came from a goal down to win 2-1 as Emile Heskey scored the winner against Western Sydney Wanderers at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday night.
Newcastle are among the early season competition front runners and have banged in 11 goals in five games since being held scoreless in their season opener by Adelaide.
However, they have yet to complete a game without conceding at least one goal.
"It is a concern," van Egmond said. "But by the same token we always look like we've got goals in us.
"So from that point of view it's great, but we still need to get better at controlling the mainstay of the game and eliminating chances for the opposition."
With goalkeeper Ben Kennedy and defender Ben Kantarovski unlikely to return from knee injuries for around four weeks and five players currently away with the Young Socceroos, van Egmond feels Newcastle have plenty of scope to get better.
"James Brown has only just got back for his second game, we've got a couple out injured, we've got the Young Socceroos away," van Egmond said.
"It's been a little bit disjointed this front part of the season, but once we get everyone back and start to get some more bodies back and have some good competition for places, it should be good."
In-form England international striker Heskey lifted his goal tally to five.
"He's got six games under his belt now and feeling like he's getting some training rhythm and game rhythm as well, so that was probably the most important thing for him," Van Egmond said.
"The most important thing is to ensure that we keep him sound. Our periodisation of training not only for Emile, but for all players has kept them in stead."
Van Egmond was philosophical about the late dismissal of substitute Jacob Pepper, who picked up two yellow cards in a few minutes near the end.
"I'm not going to sit here and start whingeing about this that and the other, I've done that ages ago in plenty of different lives. We'll just get on with it,"van Egmond said.
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