NICK Fitzgerald hasn't scored a goal in the A-League in the past two seasons.
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Before that, his biggest haul was four, which he collected in consecutive campaigns from season 2015-16.
They are statistics the 27-year-old Jets winger is working overtime to change.
The early signs are encouraging.
Fitzgerald, playing a more direct style, has banked goals in back-to-back games.
The former Olyroo reckoned he "couldn't miss" such was the quality of the cross from Angus Thurgate in the 3-1 loss to Brisbane Roar at the Surf City Cup at the Gold Coast on Sunday.
"Angus brought some energy down the right and whipped in a great cross," Fitzgerald said. "The ball got stuck under my feet and then I was able to poke it home from in the six-yard box. The cross was that good that I couldn't really miss."
His goal in the 5-1 rout of Edgeworth in the FFA Cup was also swept in from well inside the 18-yard box.
These are the type of goals that have been missing from the high-octane attacker's repertoire.
"It is always good to get among the goals and get the confidence up ready for the season," Fitzgerald said ahead of the Jets' clash with Perth at the Croatian Sports Centre on Tuesday night.
"You can't score from outside the box in every game. You have to be getting in the right position. Angus put in a great ball and I was in the right position to capitalise. Near the penalty spot: that is where I hope to score a lot of goals this year. Ernie [Merrick] and assistant coach Clayton Zane have been doing a lot of work with me on making runs into the box.
"My positioning has to be better this year. That is how I will score more goals, not necessarily by scoring from outside the box.
"Dimi Petratos is a great attacking player and Wes Hoolahan has come in as well. There is some great talent in the team, which helps me as well. It's a work in progress but I am happy to get among the goals again and get the confidence up. It will be another good test tomorrow against Perth and we will see how we go."
The battle against last season's A-League Premiers Plate winner is for bragging rights only. The Roar, who beat Perth 1-0 on Friday night, have already secured the inaugural tournament which is being hosted by the Gold Coast Knights.
Ben Kantarovski, who returned from a groin injury off the bench against the Roar, is likely come into the heart of defence in place of Pat Langlois.
"Hopefully we start a bit better against Perth," Fitzgerald said.
"We took it to Brisbane, we were just a bit off in the first half. The travel got to us a little bit. There were some pleasing signs in the second half. Even from 2-0 down we took the game to them and gave it a real crack. The combinations came together.
"We have some key players out as well, which doesn't help. Boogs and Topor have to come back in. They are key figures and leaders.
"Perth were the benchmark last year and with [coach] Tony Popovic still there, they will be a quality team again. It will be another good test to see where we are at and what we need to improve on.
"We have the FFA Cup quarter-final against Adelaide next week. They are obviously a great side as well. We want to progress in the FFA Cup. It is a good opportunity to win a trophy pretty much before the season starts.
"It's always about trying to improve as we get closer to the season."
Jets (likely): Lewis Italiano; Matt Millar, Ben Kantarovski, Johnny Koutroumbis, Jason Hoffman; Steve Ugarkovic, Matt Ridenton; Dimi Petratos; Wes Hoolahan, Abdiel Arroyo, Nick Fitzgerald.
