Melbourne Victory coach Tony Popovic has demanded his last-placed A-League Men outfit lift another gear in a bid to snare an unlikely finals spot.
Popovic hailed Victory's "unity" after they snapped a six-match winless run last week with a come-from-behind 3-1 win over Wellington.
It came in a tough season marred by a string of poor results, injuries and off-field distractions emanating from December's violent pitch invasion by a section of supporters.
Sunday's fixture away to fellow finals hopefuls Newcastle presents another opportunity for Victory to climb off the foot of the ladder.
"We've had another good week," Popovic said ahead of the McDonald Jones Stadium clash.
"Only hard work is going to get us out of this predicament that we're in.
"We took a small step, albeit a good step, considering where we are and going 1-0 behind (against Wellington).
"We'll now play a team that's always difficult to play against.
"In Newcastle, the conditions, the pitch, the travel ... it's never easy there."
Victory signed four new players during the transfer window and three of them - Bruce Kamau, Connor Chapman and French defender Damien Da Silva - are in contention to face Newcastle.
While Popovic saw incremental improvement in Victory's last two outings, he wants more against the Jets.
"If we don't improve, we won't get the points," the former Socceroos defender said.
"We have to play better. It's away from home, tough opponent.
"There's a lot of movement, a lot of intensity - we've got to match that and do better.
"If we do better, we've got a good chance of continuing this run."
Victory have won seven and drawn one of their last 11 ALM clashes with the Jets and are unbeaten in their last five games in Newcastle.
The Jets are unbeaten in their last four matches - scoring eight goals in the process - but have managed just one win and three draws in that period.
