Fortunes can change quickly in the J. League, but the division's misfiring big guns will have to start finding their range soon if they want to make a mark this season.
With more than half of the first stage played, 2014 treble winners Gamba Osaka currently sit 10th in the 18-team table. Gamba's true league position will remain unclear until they play their game in hand against Urawa Reds on June 15, but manager Kenta Hasegawa knows his side cannot wait forever to kick-start its spluttering challenge.
"We have a lot of quality players, but until someone can come up with the goods, it's difficult," Hasegawa said after Sunday's 0-0 draw with Albirex Niigata, which left Gamba with only nine goals scored in 10 matches this season.