Merrick landed on Australian soil from his native Scotland on Thursday evening, before addressing key Newcastle media on Friday morning almost three weeks after being appointed as coach.

The new Jets boss along with CEO Lawrie McKinna will head to China next week to meet with owner Martin Ledman to discuss the club’s immediate plans.

Among the topics is the club’s player recruitment for the 2016/17 season, with Merrick saying they’ve got the core of a good squad but conceding he needs to bolster it.

“In my opinion we have the basis of a good team, but we need to add four experienced, quality players,” Merrick said.

“The three signings that have been made already are top shelf with (Daniel) Georgievski in defence and (goalkeeper) Glen Moss from the Phoenix, and up front (Roy) O’Donovan.

“They are three excellent signings but we need to get three or four more senior players to build this team, and our target is to be in the finals next season.

“I am pretty positive that we can attract good quality players to this club.”

Merrick said the club was in dialogue with several players although he refused to identify specifically whom.

Among those linked with the Jets is FC Tokyo attacker and former Johnny Warren medallist Nathan Burns but Merrick wouldn’t be drawn on him.

Merrick identified several areas of improvement for the Jets based on last season’s performances, specifically discipline in defence and a commitment to getting in goalscoring positions.

“I have looked at about 12 matches and I have looked at some stats of the Newcastle Jets and I am not very happy with some of the defensive work,” he said.

“A team that gives away eight penalties, you are really handing the opposition the opportunity to score, you are handing them goals. To me that’s just discipline.

“That will mean coaching and structure but also hopefully another addition.”

Merrick continued: “Where this team really miss out I think is up front. There are not enough players in the team with a commitment to get into goalscoring positions.

“Even if you don’t score there has got to be this commitment to get into where goals are most frequently scored - between the penalty spot and the six-yard box.

“We need to get in there on a regular basis and demand the ball and when it does come in be first there.”

“We can’t concede 53 goals and have two clean sheets in the whole year. There is a lot of team discipline that has to be sorted out but we need to sign attacking players.”

The Jets have re-signed Ben Kantarovski and Jack Duncan since Merrick’s appointment, while Daniel Mullen and Andrew Hoole are among those off contract.

Photo credit: Newcastle Jets