Central Coast coach Mark Jackson will say it once and then never again: their Asian Champions League Elite loss to Yokohama F Marinos was unacceptable.
The Mariners were knocked out of the ACL tournament after a 4-0 thrashing from the Japanese giants last Tuesday, bringing to an end a disastrous continental campaign.
Jackson's side were dead last in Group A, finishing with one point after no wins, one draw and five losses.
Their first half against the Marinos at their Industree Group Stadium home was so poor, Jackson apologised to fans.
“You have to be all willing to work, stick to the game plan, stay connected - in the first half, our players didn't want to do that,” he said after the match.
"I say sorry to our supporters because that first-half performance wasn’t acceptable.”
His side were overrun by the Marinos, coached by Central Coast legend John Hutchinson, and conceded three goals before halftime.
Jackson, fronting the media on Friday, said he was keen to move on from their ACL flop and regroup for their A-League Men match at home against Sydney FC on Sunday.
“This is the last time I'll speak to it,” he said.
“When we go out on that pitch, we want to give everything for the team, for our teammates and the supporters as well.
“I've made that clear to the boys on Sunday and every game going forward from now on.
“I shouldn't be having that conversation again with those players. I'm sure I won't. I've got a good bunch of players and I trust them immensely.
“It was uncharacteristic from us … I'm sure the players will put it right.”
The treble-winning Mariners are yet to recapture last year's stunning form in their title defence.
Breaking through for their first win in round five, Central Coast are ninth (1-3-1) on six points.
Meanwhile, Sydney are sixth (3-2) and have booked a spot in the AFC Champions League 2 round of 16.
Star winger Christian Theoharous is expected to make his first start since recovering from a hamstring injury, but Mariners captain Trent Sainsbury remains ruled out.
