Nikola Mileusnic thinks his Adelaide United attacking teammates are doing a fine job in replacing the goals and assists of former star Craig Goodwin this season.
Socceroo Goodwin accounted for 19 of the Reds' 37 goals during 2018/19 through 10 goals and nine assists in what was a remarkable season for the Adelaide-born attacker.
His departure to Al-Wehda of the Saudi Pro League in pre-season left a gaping hole in Adelaide's front line, but Mileusnic believes the side have made a good fist of redistributing the goal burden under the instruction of Gertjan Verbeek.
Fifth-placed Adelaide have tallied 24 goals in 14 matches this season - the league's fourth best attacking return.
Riley McGree has led the way with eight goals, while wingers Mileusnic and Ben Halloran have found the net five and three times respectively.
"It was always good having Goodwin, he scores goals out of nowhere and he is just a very good player," Mileusnic said.
"We all had to step up this year. We have Benny [Halloran] on the right now and I'm filling in on the left and it's working quite well.
"It's always easy as a right footer cutting in on your right and shooting on your left. Hopefully we can score more goals."
Mileusnic (twice) and McGree were both on the score sheet in Adelaide's 4-3 triumph over Western United last Sunday, a win which ended the club's four-match losing streak and re-established them in the top six.
The 26-year-old believes the Reds have turned a corner ahead of a crunch game with Melbourne City on Saturday evening, the team Adelaide destroyed 4-0 to claim the FFA Cup 2019 last October.
"We knew it was crucial to win on Saturday especially for our belief and our confidence.
"We are on the right track I think and there's definitely something to build on.
"You're always going to have those slumps in the season where you lose a few games or four in our case. We stuck together and pushed ourselves."
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Adelaide United v Melbourne City
Saturday, 1 February 2020
Kick-off: 7pm local, 7.30pm AEDT
Venue: Coopers Stadium
Broadcast: FOX Sports 505
Stream: MyFootball Live App, Kayo Sports
