With just two home games remaining in their season and despite the uncertainty clouding their future, Gold Coast United coach Mike Mulvey has issued a challenge.

He wants his young squad to play to their potential and continue to cause difficulties for the A-League finals contenders.

“We are a team that has troubled three top-six teams in the past six weeks, Central Coast Mariners, Melbourne Victory and now Newcastle,” Mulvey said after the 1-1 draw at Newcastle on Friday night.

“I think we’ve done ourselves proud, but we still want to win games.

“I don’t think there’s any argument that the performance showed that we can compete with most teams in the league.

“We’ve come to Newcastle who are on the cusp of the six, and we’ve jeopardised that a little bit for them, because now other teams can catch them up.

“We have good talent and great character and were going out to try and win those last two home games.”

Nikolai Topor-Stanley’s 90th minute equaliser may have earned the Jets a point but Mulvey believes, despite the frustration of the draw, his players still learned a valuable football lesson.

“We’ve stepped up from youth level with these young ones, now they need to step up to senior level and learn how to win again,” said Mulvey.

The coach is hopeful that impressive midfielder Ben Halloran will be available for selection against Perth and hopes that the fans will turn out in force for the encounter.

“I think the players have proven that the ability is there and the nucleus is there. The fans now have to produce something special next week against Perth, and then also on the following Sunday against Brisbane Roar,” said Mulvey.

While reluctant to be drawn into speculation about the future of the club beyond this season, Mulvey remains passionate about football on the Gold Coast.

“One thing I will say is this isn’t about me or about other people, it’s about the players and the fans. That’s what football is about. Without the players and fans what have you got?”