Scott Miller has backed Newcastle Jets striker Milos Trifunovic after the Serbian's brace sealed a 2-1 upset over A-League title-chasers Melbourne City.
Trifunovic, 31, had failed to find the back of the net for seven round but has now scored in three out of his last four games.
Bruno Fornaroli utilised his individual class to peg back the deficit for a 10-man City, but it was not enough for the visitors to grab even a point from the A-League strugglers.
Trifunovic's tally has climbed to eight goals this season, one shy of former Newcastle import Emile Heskey, who put in nine in the 2012-13 season.
"He's performing to a different level now," Miller said. "His work rate has improved, hence he's getting into right areas now. Although he sometimes doesn't demonstrate the energy the fans want to see, he's actually been quite clinical in the last three to four weeks.
"He's taken a lot of criticism, including from me, and he's kept focused on the job at hand."
Miller also praised Morten Nordstrand and debut starter Steven Ugarkovic, both who diminished concerns over the Jets' attacking prowess now David Carney has left for Sydney FC.
Though still often left wanting on final-touch accuracy, the hosts had 17 shots, including 13 from inside the box.
"I knew bringing Morten here and stabilising the central midfield with Steven would add that quality," Miller said. "What you are seeing now is people stepping up, as opposed to relying on one person."
Their efforts, along with Leonardo's superb display, helped Newcastle lift from ninth to eighth place and eight points adrift of sixth-placed Adelaide.
Miller said the improvement on the 6-1 home humiliation to Perth two weeks ago was seismic.
"Perth was madness. We let ourselves down technically and tactically. Mentally we really let ourselves down," he said. "Today we had all facets, technical, tactical, physical, mental. We put all four corners together."
