Soccer: Adshead hints at formation change

John Adshead may make a change or two in the hope of turning things around when the New Zealand Knights meet the Melbourne Victory at Olympic Park tonight.

Again, Adshead is hinting he may look for a change in formation as he chases a second win in the Hyundai A-League, which remains tight despite Perth Glory's stunning 5-1 away win over Newcastle in the second game of the round.

"I have the choice of being conservative in the hope of maybe picking up a point for a draw, or taking a gamble and making changes and go for the three points," said Adshead from a cold and miserable Melbourne last night.

"The results of the other games do not matter. Nothing changes, we just need three points."

Adshead said the suggestion that Noah Hickey might be included in the starting line-up was an option.

"That will be decided in the morning when we look at the system we will play."

He and his players have not been helped by local officials who have not allowed them to have even a light run at the match venue.

Adshead admitted the balancing act of keeping all 20 players involved is becoming more difficult.

This time he has opted to include Jeremy Christie and leave Xiaobin Zhang at home. While Christie will probably start on the bench, he may give Naoki Imaya a first start.

"If we decide to go with five in the midfield in a 4-5-1 formation, we could use him," said Adshead who is also struggling with the long wait for these night games.

"It is not easy when you don't kick-off until 7pm after being here for so long. Then, we don't get home until late on Tuesday, have to give the players a day off and get ready for the next game."

In the opening match of the seventh round to end the first round (of three) Queensland Roar came from a goal down at halftime to draw 1-1 with Central Coast Mariners.

Perth continued their domination of visiting teams by racing to a 4-0 lead after 62 minutes against Newcastle after leading just 1-0 on the back of a Damian Mori goal in the 34th minute.

Jamie Harnwell, Bobby Despotovski and a Moris second had Perth well in control before substitute Franco Parisi got one back in the 73rd minute. Naum Sekulovski added Perth's fifth.