Culina admitted his outfit were woeful in front of goal, and have been so far this season, finding the back of the net only twice in their opening five games, including a gift of a goal from the Reds in the dying stages in the defeat.

The Jets boss acknowledged Newcastle were able to create ample opportunities but their misery was compounded by conceding 'soft goals'.

"One team finished their opportunities, took their opportunities with conviction, the other probably had double the amount of opportunities and huffed and puffed and in the end couldn't blow the house, or the goals down," he said.

"That was probably the most disappointing aspect. Being away from home and having so many opportunities and conceding a couple of what I thought were soft goals.

"We just lack that cutting edge in front of goal because to score two goals in five games isn't enough for the type of football we play and the opportunities that we create."

Culina admitted the 'cutting edge' in front of goal isn't entirely a personnel issue, acknowledging the Jets are able to combine well in the front third.

He said the biggest problem is the lack of an 'individual' with a flash of brilliance who can make something from nothing and ultimately, stick the ball in the back of the net, before highlighting the impact of United's attacking trio.

"Combination, cohesion all of that, I think is there otherwise you wouldn't be creating all those opportunities," he said.

"That's not the problem, it's the end of all of that, the individual being able to do something. At the end of the day you're going to need an individual who is going to make a difference.

"At the moment it's fair to say the ball isn't going our way. Tonight, for the first time it was pretty obvious we just lack that cutting edge up front. You have a look at Flores' finishing, Leckie ... and (Sergio) van Dijk who does a lot.

"It's fair to say when you've got three quality players like that, that can make a big difference to a good side. We don't have that at the moment."

Chinese signing Zhang Shuo was given his first start and showed glimpses of promise and Culina admitted the striker looks impressive and could be 'that individual' but conceded the new recruit is still some weeks away from peak condition.

"It's always going to take a bit of time for a new player coming into a new team, particularly a guy that hasn't played in a little while," he said.

"I think he's got quality, but he's still off the pace a little bit. Has he got that cutting edge that we all talk about? That individual ability to be at the end of all the good play? Or an individual that can sometimes create something out of nothing? I don't know, time will tell."