City take on Central Coast Mariners tonight and will be battling to lock in a place in third-position with Newcastle Jets already safe at second with two games to go.

The Melburnians have just lost nine games this season, and Joyce said the mood had been pretty high in the club this season.

“I think the spirit or the confidence has been good for the vast majority of the season,” Joyce said.

“I think we’ve had a few knocks, but we’ve always dusted ourselves down. We’ve always looked at the consistency of our performances and not been too high or never been too low.

“The performances have been good even though sometimes when we’ve lost games, the performance was still good, but you’re never having to pick them up confidence wise.

“They all know realistically where the game is and where it’s gone, so the minute everyone is chomping at the bit and everyone wants to push to get into the side.

“The whole of the squad are working really hard and that’s been a big help over the last few weeks that people are training that hard during the week that it helps preparation.”

City have won their last four games against Central Coast and Joyce has resisted the temptation to tinker with his squad in the past few weeks, but could welcome back Osama Malik from a quad injury.

City will be hoping for crosstown rival Melbourne Victory to fall in their last two games against Wellington Phoenix and Sydney FC.