EVERGREEN keeper Glen Moss believes the Newcastle Jets are "coming good at the right time" - their A-League finals' hopes hinge on it.
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The Jets sit in last spot on nine points approaching the midpoint of the season.
However, they are only two wins behind sixth-placed Wellington, who have played an extra game. The Phoenix host strugglers Central Coast on Saturday.
The Jets open the new year against Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on Sunday, then face consecutive games against top-two Sydney FC (home) and Melbourne City (away), before a trip across the Tasman to take on the Phoenix, who are unbeaten in the past seven games.
Historically, results in January have a major impact in the make-up of the top six.
The Jets, after poor losses to Melbourne City (4-0) and Perth (6-2), bounced back with a 1-all draw against Brisbane - a match they led until the 87th minute.
"We are a couple of wins outside the top six. It's a tight competition," Moss said. "I think we are coming good at the right time, with the boys coming back from injury and the younger boys who have had that experience ... we know there is a lot of talent in the squad it is a matter of how do we get the best out of that talent?
"I don't think we have had a game this year where everybody has been performing at the same time. We definitely need everyone out there and the guys coming off the bench to put it in at the right moments and we will go close to getting a result."
The Jets came from 2-0 down to beat the Victory 3-2 in extra-time in the round-of-32 FFA Cup match in August but Sunday is their first league clash with the perennial powerhouse.
"Ernie (Merrick) hasn't let us forget about it either," Moss said of the dramatic win.
Pat Langlois scored the winner off the bench in the FFA Cup.
The rookie has since earned promotion to the starting side and will partner Ben Kantarovski at the base of midfield on Sunday.
"Gus Thurgate and Patty Langlois are taking steps each week and getting better and better," Moss said. "We need to be a lot more confident in our passing. We have some good ball players in our team. If we can keep the passing distances a little shorter and back ourselves to play through them and get into the final third, we can definitely score goals."
Victory are in eighth place, three points above the Jets, and have only won three of their 11 games.
They accounted for cross-town rivals City 2-1 before the bye last round but will be without suspended captain Ola Toivonen.
They still boast match-winners Robbie Kruse and Andrew Nabbout, who scored both of Victory's goal in the FFA Cup loss to his former club.
"Kruse and Nabbas are guys who like to get in behind with their speed." Moss said. "If we can close down and put pressure on the ball, then they don't get those type of opportunities to make runs in behind."
Jason Hoffman will take his place in the Jets' side after his wife Natasha gave birth to baby daughter Delilah on Thursday afternoon.
"I didn't get much sleep Thursday night, but both are mum and bub are doing well," he said on Friday.
Nigel Boogaard (groin), Abdiel Arroyo (hamstring) and Wes Hoolahan (ankle) were all out on the training pitch on Friday. However, Hoolahan is at least a month away.
