The Mariners sit second last on the table after falling 4-1 to Melbourne Victory on Wednesday night at AAMI Park.

Okon felt his young side lacked concentration when the second goal was conceded to James Donachie in the second half.

The former Socceroo captain also dismissed claims the job is harder than what he originally anticipated.

“There is a lot of belief, I certainly feel that, if I look at the way the team is playing it shows me we believe in what we’re trying to do, it was never going to be ‘we’ll win 20 games and score 100 goals’,” Okon said.

“I think you also have to be realistic and have a look at where we are in terms of where the clubs sits financially in comparison to what other clubs are maybe spending.

“It’s about making sure the club has longevity and maybe that’s hurting us a little bit at the moment but we’re not going to feel sorry for ourselves.

“There’s certainly a significant difference, we’re not going to sit here and whinge, and use it as an excuse.

“The player’s effort is phenomenal, and that’s the minimum… the effort, we’re playing some good football and unfortunately when we make mistakes we get punished for it.”

Okon spoke of one of the positives after 19-year-old Trent Buhagiar scored his maiden goal for Central Coast.

He maintained they were a “good football team” and simply placed many deflating moments down to errors.

“He’s (Buhagiar) an exciting young player, plenty of speed and took his finish magnificently, so I’m happy for the boy first a-league goal,” he said.

“But it would have been nice for him if it was a goal that meant we won the game or got a point from it and he’s certainly a player the club is expecting big things in the future.

“The last couple of weeks our average age (on the pitch) has been 21,so it’s a real positive for the club.

“Maybe people who watch the game don’t consider that and probably think it’s irrelevant and think ‘why are you losing football games?’.

“The future for the club is bright and hopefully down the track it does result in more games won and more scored, less conceded but we’re trying and the players are disappointed.”