Soccer: Knights in need of a big performance

It is a classic top versus bottom clash - one team unbeaten, the other with just one win - but Adelaide United coach John Kosmina is far from confident it will be a swoop and collect mission at North Harbour Stadium on Sunday.

"There is no way in the world I see it simply as a matter of turning up and taking the points," said Kosmina.

"I have watched the Knights play three or four times and I have no doubt they will get better. Come the second half of the season, I see them as a team who will be hard to beat."

Of his own team's, and what many see as unexpected, success thus far, Kosmina said he is not as surprised as some.

"Sure, we should score more goals but that doesn't tell the whole story," he said. "Against Queensland we had 17 attempts but didn't score. But, at the other end, if you don't concede you don't lose.

"We are playing some very good disciplined football. The players have focused on remaining organised. Almost all of our work is done on the pitch. I'm not big on the whiteboard. You don't play football inside so why spend your training time there?

"The players have a real part to play in how we play. That is something I have always encouraged. They take responsibility for their own performances. In training we work on getting them to make split-second decisions."

Above all, said Kosmina, they are enjoying their football.

There is an added bonus for Kosmina this week, one which promises to put further pressure on the Knights' defence.

Brazilian striker Fernando Rech was yesterday cleared to play and will debut on Sunday, perhaps joining Chinese international Shengqing Qu in a new-look and potentially lethal strike force.

Adshead was still pondering his team selection yesterday with players recovering from a flu-like virus. "Josh Rose and Darren Bazeley are worst hit," he said.

He did suggest that Glen Moss will hold his place in goal after an encouraging first-up effort against Perth Glory.

And Adshead is far from overawed by the task confronting his team against the Hyundai A-League pacesetters.

"Of course you like to beat the team at the top of the table," said Adshead. "But we know we will have to go out there and be the doers."