Newcastle kicked off their 2020-21 campaign last week with a 1-0 loss to Central Coast Mariners, after fielding a completely revamped front four to the first game of last season.

Veteran Roy O'Donovan led the attack with support from youngsters Kosta Petratos, Valentine Yuel and Rami Najjarine.

O'Donovan has been one of the A-League's most consistent marksman, with 49 goals in 104 games, but Petratos, Yuel and Najjarine boast a combined tally of two goals between them.

Last season the Jets kicked off with an attacking quartet comprising Abdiel Arroyo, Dimi Petratos, Jason Hoffman and Nick Fitzgerald.

The versatile Hoffman started this season as a defender, before injuring his calf against the Mariners, while Arroyo, Petratos and Fitzgerald are all playing overseas.

Deans felt the Jets had enough possession in good areas to score against the Mariners but paid the price for not converting them.

"Val [Yuel] got himself in some good areas in the first half," he said.

"I think we probably let ourselves a bit in the first half with the delivery or the decision-making in the front third. Too often we took the wrong option or we held onto the ball for too long.

"Second half we probably passed the ball a bit better from the middle to the front third and we opened up a few opportunities.

"Look, Val did well. I thought Kosta Petratos was dangerous ... and I thought Roy was dangerous.

"He looked sharp, he looked hungry. But again, he needs the service to score so that's something we keep working on."

Deans said Najjarine improved as the game went on after a tactical tweak at half-time.

"Ramy did well," Deans said. "First half, when he did get on the ball, he showed a little bit.

"We needed to find him a little bit earlier, and we spoke about it at half-time, trying to get the ball to Ramy a little bit earlier, before the Mariners had time to get people behind the ball."

Towering youngster Tete Yengi, who scored a goal against Wellington Phoenix in the pre-season, worried the Mariners during his 28-minute A-League debut as substitute.

"Tete, it's his first opportunity at this level," Deans said.

"He's played 15 minutes in the pre-season against A-League opposition, so [his debut] was a big ask for any player, but I thought there were moments in the game where people would see why we signed him.

"He's got a lot to learn, a lot of development both physically and from a football point of view. So I'm happy for him, and the whole way this season is panning out, young players are going to get an opportunity."

The Jets are unlikely to have Hoffman or Johnny Koutroumbis available for Friday's grudge match against Western Sydney at McDonald Jones Stadium, but skipper Nigel Boogaard will be available to return from suspension.