Ernie Merrick's men failed to score for the first time this season in their 3-0 defeat against Melbourne City, their second successive loss after a 5-2 thrashing from Adelaide United.

Dario Vidosic scored a delightful double, but Newcastle looked a shadow of their former attacking excellence without talismanic winger Andrew Nabbout.

The loss of Nabbout to Japan and Nigel Boogard to injury leaves a deflated Jets squad hoping to reignite their Championship aspirations.

"It's better to get it out of the system now," the Irishman told Fox Sports.

"We're guaranteed second spot – maybe a little bit of that syndrome has set in where maybe we've rested a little bit or taken our eye off the ball.

"Ernie [Merrick] is going to give us a good talking to. But we'll peak at the right time.

"There is nothing to worry about. We're just going through a little bit of a spell, that's all."

Newcastle - who have already secured second position - play their next match against a Perth Glory side still hoping to make the finals, three points off Adelaide United.

"We've hit a bit of a stumbling block now. But the positives are we've got players coming back from injury," he said.

"Ronny Vargas played a lot of the game, Pato is getting into it, I've come back myself and hopefully we'll have Boogs [Nigel Boogaard] back in a few weeks.

"Look, we lost a game. It's no big deal, we'll start again next week."