A dejected Jason Hoffman has hinted at plenty of heading practice after missing a couple of golden opportunities to earn the Newcastle Jets a point at AAMI Park on Friday night.
Hoffman - not known for his lethal goalmouth action - chipped in with a goal for the second straight week in Newcastle's 2-1 loss to Melbourne Victory.
A-League fans were wondering what magic coach Ernie Merrick had weaved on the 28-year-old, but post-match Hoffman could only think of the ones he missed.
Ernie Merrick continues to make average players look good. Jason ‘Thomas Muller’ Hoffman with another classy goal. #MVCvNEW
— ynwa91 (@ynwa91) December 29, 2017
THE HOFF IS 🔥🔥🔥🔥 #MVCvNEW
— Geoff Koop (@GKoop93) December 29, 2017
Merrick has turned the Hoff into the Robbie Kruse he had at MV #MVCvNEW
— Tony Tannous (@TonyTannousTRBA) December 29, 2017
Victory had the better of the play with Kosta Barbarouses opening the scoring and Besart Berisha firing home the winner after the Jets equalised on the stroke of half-time.
"Just at the moment it's extremely disappointing not to come away with at least a point," Hoffman told Fox Sports.
"It's always good to try and score goals especially when you're playing further up the field, but for me I look at the two headers, one in the first half and one in the second half that definitely could have earned us a point at least. For me it's something to work on.
"In general there's a few minor adjustments we need to make...that's a game we can look back on and hopefully we can prepare better later in the season when we (play) them again."
2 headers Hoff probably should’ve buried now. 😖 #MVCvNEW
— Brad 🤙🏻 (@bradfogarty95) December 29, 2017
The margin of the loss could have been greater had Jets goalkeeper Glen Moss not denied Mark Milligan from the penalty spot and Berisha not had a second goal ruled out for offside.
Hoffman adding: "It was pretty tough to be honest, there weren't many clear cut chances for us but for me that header - it's hopefully one I'll put away in the future."
Despite the loss the Jets remain in second place, seven points clear of the chasing pack, but five point adrift of league leaders Sydney FC who are still to play.
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