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John Aloisi slams Brisbane Roar defence after 4-0 rout by Newcastle

Coach John Aloisi said it best, albeit in disgust: the only way is up for the Brisbane Roar.

It is true in the literal sense -- Sunday's 4-0 mauling by unfavoured Newcastle Jets has left the Roar second-last on the A-League table, with just one point and an unenviable goal difference to show for their first two games.

And from a performance perspective, it was close to rock bottom.

After sitting through 90 minutes of lethargy, wasted possession and costly defensive deficiencies, Aloisi looked less angry than utterly shell-shocked.

"That's definitely the worst I've seen the team play," he said. "There was nothing positive out of that, nothing positive at all.

"The only good thing is we can get better from the performance, because there was nothing good about that."

While the Jets were sharp, their Andrew Nabbout-led attack a constant threat, Brisbane's display was a textbook capitulation many times removed from the never-say-die attitude usually proffered by Aloisi's semifinalists.

Jack Hingert's first-half own goal started the decay and paved the way for Newcastle to score thrice within 24 minutes after the break.

Suspended captain Matt McKay's midfield energy was no doubt sorely missed.

And if Tommy Oar at least tried to look dangerous in a rare start ahead of veteran Thomas Broich, the rest of the squad will hope they quickly forget what went down at McDonald Jones Stadium.

"What I'm disappointed in is we let it happen," Aloisi said. "There wasn't a reaction to say `not good enough'. We didn't turn up.

"I'm not going to point a finger at any individual because at the end of the day I'm responsible, but I won't accept that type of performance."

The focus now shifts to the Central Coast Mariners, where the Roar will attempt to rescue both points and some pride while turning around a poor away record that cost them last season's Premiers Plate.

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