Soccer: Knights in the dance of the desperates

Paul Nevin still has his coaching job with the New Zealand Knights and feels some sympathy for dumped Newcastle Jets boss Nick Theodorokopoulos who was sent packing this week.

Nevin and his players will be the first to come face-to-face with the new regime when caretaker coach - formerly assistant - Gary Van Egmond puts the Jets out at EnergyAustralia Stadium tonight.

Despairing after 13 matches - stretching back to the last Hyundai A-League season - without a win, the club's bosses decided enough was enough and bid farewell to Theodorokopoulos.

Tonight's clash, one of four games in the second round, is soccer's version of the dance of the desperates.

Between them, the Knights and the Jets have had one win and four draws, with just seven goals. They have also conceded 16 and 11 goals respectively - the worst two defensive records.

The two teams set their apparent benchmark with a 0-0 first-round draw at North Harbour Stadium.

The two bottom-placed teams also figure on another count: the Knights' Richard Johnson (18) and Newcastle's Nick Carle (16) have the most fouls registered to their names.

For the Knights it has been a case of "so close", losing their last three - to Sydney FC, Central Coast and Perth - all 1-0.

"That has been frustrating," said Nevin this week. "We can only keep doing what we have been doing and hope things will change."

Their one goal, in the second game of the season, is a fading memory.

Dani Rodrigues was seen as the player most likely to turn it around. He has struggled, and is now out with a cruciate ligament injury. He will be assessed over the next two weeks.

There was some good news for Nevin with Ghanian Hamza Mohammed finally cleared to play.

And even later yesterday, it was revealed that All Whites striker Campbell Banks has joined the Knights, a late callup for the flight to Newcastle.

The Knights are still without the injured Jonas Salley and the suspended Greg Duruz; Matt Carbon has returned to England without having played a game.

Defender Frank Van Eijs, who wants out of his contract, has been omitted, his spot going to Che Bunce, back after a one-game suspension.

The Jets welcome back Joel Griffiths (suspension), Jade North (international duties) and Vaughan Coveny (injury), but All Whites defender Stephen Old is missing as he struggles with a hamstring injury.

Round eight kicked off with the overnight clash between Central Coast and Sydney. The game of the round comes with tomorrow's battle between runaway leaders Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United.

Also tomorrow: Perth- Queensland.


Knights v Newcastle Jets

EnergyAustralia Stadium, 10 tonight.

Knights squad: Michael Turnbull, Darren Bazeley, Che Bunce, Neil Emblen, Sime Kovacevic, Richard Johnson, Scot Gemmill, Sean Devine, Jonti Richter, Noah Hickey, Michael White, Adam Casey, Danny Milosevic, Campbell Banks, Hamza Mohammed.