Joyce: Shot-shy Melbourne City wanted to win against Glory

Warren Joyce insisted Melbourne City's objective against Perth Glory was to secure all three points despite failing to register a shot on target in Saturday's 0-0 draw at AAMI Park.

The hosts rarely threatened after Florin Berenguer fluffed a first-half opportunity and appeared content to hold the Hyundai A-League leaders to a stalemate during a second period that was short on goalmouth action. 

The City boss denied his team accepted a point and viewed the draw as a fair reflection of a close contest.

MATCH REPORT: City and Glory share points in AAMI Park arm wrestle
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"I thought in the first half we were the dominant side," Joyce said.

"I thought we controlled the game, controlled the threats – they only time they looked dangerous was when we gave the ball away in transition.

"We had good possession, just the final little pass or the decision-making could have been better.

"The longer the game when on, in the last 15 or 20 they were the dominant side. Maybe over the course of it 0-0 is a fair result.

"Obviously we wanted to win the game. We talked before the game about the importance of it – it was a six-pointer.

"We know we've had a tough time over the past few weeks. The lads have dug deep, they've worked their socks off. The running stats at Central Coast, even though we didn't play great, were through the roof.

"But we wanted to win the game tonight."

Striking support on the agenda

City, beaten 2-1 by bottom-placed Central Coast Mariners in their previous outing, lacked the tools to threaten a well-organised Glory after naming full-back Ritchie De Laet and winger Lachlan Wales in a two-man attack.

Joyce commended the efforts of his makeshift forwards but, with Bruno Fornaroli unused since November, admitted signing a new striker is a priority.

"There's a limited budget available to try to bring a player in," he said.

"Obviously during this period you're crying out for a forward – that's obvious.

"The lads who have played there have done tremendously well, they have put in a shift, and the team has done tremendously well to work through it.

"They need a little bit of help, they deserve a bit of help. But you're trying to build for two things.

"You're trying obviously to win things but then you're trying to look longer term as well as the short term."