KEY POINTS:
Adelaide's Romario poses an obvious threat to the Knights at Hindmarsh Stadium tomorrow night, but it's not something their coach Barry Simmonds has dwelled too much on.
"We haven't talked about him at all so far," said Simmonds after a training session this week. "Obviously we will, but
it goes a lot deeper than just stopping him scoring goals.
"He has to get the ball from somewhere and it is up to us to stop that. This is his second-to-last game for Adelaide and he will want to score. It is never easy for a player to come in mid-season, fit in and have an immediate impact.
"We have much the same with Alen Marcina. He is a renowned goal-scorer and has had chances but, typically for a player coming in, he hasn't yet found the mark."
Simmonds remains philosophical despite the results.
"Even from what I saw first-up against Central Coast, there was a definite improvement in the performance last week. I didn't realise until I saw the tape how well we played in the second half against Newcastle."
Simmonds says the most he can ask for in games like this is respect.
"If the opposing coach can drum it into his players that we deserve respect, that is all I can ask."
The Knights hope Chinese star Li Yan will play at least part of tomorrow's game. He took a whack on the ankle at training and was kept away from Thursday's session as a precaution.
He and fellow Chinese midfielder/striker Lei Lai Gao will travel this morning but Simmonds does not expect to name a starting XI until an hour before kick-off.
He has midfielders Jonas Salley and Richard Johnson back from suspension and injury respectively, and has left Fernando de Moraes out of the party.
Adelaide have Jason Spagnuolo returning from suspension and have signed Ben Moore to a short-term contract. Goalkeeper Robert Bajic has copped a two-match ban after being sent off last weekend.
The South Australians, who continue to enjoy great support for their home games, are still one of the most dangerous teams in the Hyundai A-League with Fernando and Carl Veart, with four goals each, in equal eighth place in the golden boot.
They will be aware of the threat the Knights must pose after losing 1-0 at North Harbour Stadium in the second round and then conceding a couple of goals in a 4-2 home win in round nine.
It does not come any harder for the Knights.
Their season gone, they face six more games before packing it in for the winter. They have torrid pre-Christmas tests against runaway leaders Melbourne Victory and return after the break to play Queensland at home, Sydney FC and Central Coast away before a final outing against Perth at North Harbour Stadium (on January 21).
