THOMAS Broich concedes results, not performances, are now Brisbane Roar's priority as they try to salvage an increasingly shaky defence of their A-League crown.

The Roar have slipped to third on the ladder and face crunch away matches in the next fortnight against the top two Central Coast Mariners and Wellington Phoenix.

Star German import Broich is becoming increasingly frustrated with the Roar dominating possession for little or no reward, as was the case in Saturday night's shock 1-0 loss to the battling Newcastle Jets at Suncorp Stadium.

It has got to the point where Broich is no longer satisfied with Brisbane's long-held mantra of performance over points.

"I'm a huge fan of the system we play and I really believe in this system, but we can't allow it to become static," the A-League's best player said yesterday.

"We've been successful with this style of football and still in almost every game we're the better team.

"But we're not the better team on the scoreboard that's what we have to change."

Broich fears Brisbane's chances of hosting another grand final are fading quickly.

The Roar must finish in the top two to have a shot at another Suncorp Stadium decider.

"We keep talking about how important performances are but we can't afford to finish the season in fifth or sixth," he said.

"That's why it's really crucial for us to get results again as quickly as possible.

"Every game is important now.

"We can't deny the fact that the pressure is on us."

Despite Broich's concerns, Roar coach Ange Postecoglou does not believe crunch time has arrived for Brisbane.

"Nothing will get decided this week (against the Mariners)," Postecoglou said.

"The key thing in this competition is playing well leading into finals. Then we can really give it a shake."

Brisbane's hopes of beating the high-flying Mariners at Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford on Saturday will be boosted by the return of leading goalscorer Besart Berisha from suspension.

In Berisha's absence, Broich (right) was used in the centre forward role against the Jets but admitted his preference was to play as an attacking midfielder or on the left wing.

"At times it was hard to get touches (against the Jets) ... it was so congested," the former FC Nurnberg playmaker said.

"It was like I had two centre-halves and two holding midfielders around me constantly."

Broich and Postecoglou praised youngster Nick Fitzgerald, who started ahead of James Meyer (bench) and Issey Nakajima-Farran, Kofi Danning and Olyroo Rocky Visconte.

"It was a reward for somebody doing well and working hard," Postecoglou said.

Originally published as Broich says Roar need results