Soccer: Kingz put defence top of team improvement list

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Look for changes in the Football Kingz starting line-up when they take on a revitalised Adelaide Force at Ericsson Stadium on Friday night.

Licking their wounds after the 2-4 loss to Northern Spirit in Sydney, the Kingz took some consolation from other fourth-round National Soccer League results - including draws in the three games played on Saturday.

"We haven't lost too much ground," co-coach Shane Rufer said.

"We got what we deserved against Northern Spirit.

"Four crucial errors - three in a 10-minute period in the first half - cost us.

"Apart from that, we actually played quite well. It was not through their [Northern Spirit] good play we lost. It was our fault."

While it is still early season, the problems which dogged the team last season - inconsistency and a poor defensive effort - continue to haunt the side.

Last season their strong attacking record was nullified by a shocking effort at the back which left them with the third-worst defensive tally.

"We are going to have to look at the defensive make-up this week," Rufer said.

"We have to make sure we have the right starting XI on the park and take it from there.

"In home games with the crowd behind you - and we have had really good support at home - you aim to have 60 per cent of the ball."

With one of the largest squads in the league, the Kingz have the players to put pressure on their team-mates across the park.

"Each week there are seven or eight players who are not involved, but they are all determined to press for a place in the match squad," Rufer said.

"That can only be good for us."

He hopes Mark Burton's international clearance will come through early this week.

And for dads-in-waiting Andy Bluhm and Harry Ngata that distraction may be gone, with the babies' arrivals imminent.

Bluhm seems set to return to the side - hopefully alongside Burton - but Michael Cartwright (sidelined with glandular fever) might still be a couple of weeks away.