Soccer: Blunt warning for Knights to start performing soon

Australian soccer bosses have had enough, handing a strong "shape up" or "ship out" message to the beleaguered New Zealand Knights management.

In a candid interview with the Herald after the Hyundai A-League awards ceremony, Football Federation Australia head of operations Matt Carroll was not mincing words.

While the league's million-plus spectator count exceeded expectations, Carroll was far from happy with the way the average attendance - a healthy 11,000-plus per game - was dragged down by the paltry turnout for the Knights' home games.

"That was disappointing, and not really acceptable," said Carroll. "As they admitted right from the start, they misjudged the strength of the A-League. Unfortunately, that was reflected in a number of ways."

Carroll, disappointed a team from a country the size of New Zealand and a city the size of Auckland did not pull their weight, stopped short of saying the end is nigh. Just.

"Could we do without the Knights? Yes. Should we do without the Knights? No. But we strongly believe New Zealand Soccer must play a bigger role.

"It would not worry us if the Knights were the All Whites in a different strip," said Carroll.

He was not enamoured by suggestions that New Zealand-born players Glen Moss and Jeremy Brockie might not be retained for the new season.

"I don't understand where they are coming from in not trying harder to retain New Zealand players. Just as we were surprised with their appointment of the new head coach from England.

"We are not saying they have to put out a team good enough to win the league but they have to be competitive. We have yet to see any signs of that.

"We would not look too hard if they showed us at least something with a largely New Zealand-based team. But, we will not be looking too kindly if there is a repeat of what we saw this season.

"Ultimately we would like to see half their playing roster from New Zealand.

"To do that, they have to work hand in glove with New Zealand Soccer," said Carroll. "We would be much more tolerant if they had a plan. It does not appear to us they have one.

"I will be meeting the club and New Zealand Soccer in the next couple of weeks to go through a number of things."

New Zealand Soccer chief executive Graham Seatter said he welcomed the chance of further discussion with Carroll.

"Absolutely, New Zealand Soccer are keen to do whatever we can to help," said Seatter. "We are a 5 per cent shareholder in principle only. We would love to have a real input and influence with the Knights.

"It would be great if a meeting between all parties could achieve that.

"On what we have been reading and hearing, it could be that Noah Hickey could be the only New Zealander in the Knights next season," said Seatter. "That would be a massive lost opportunity. They would lose a huge opportunity to get the New Zealand public on their side if that was the case."

Carroll was just as critical of the Knights' off-field performance.

"They have problems. We are supporting them financially to keep them afloat. We have said if you [the club administration, chairman Anthony Lee and chief executive Steve O'Hara] can't do the job you should step aside. We are working closely with them in that."

Carroll, on the verge of signing a huge broadcasting deal which is expected to cover the player salaries (with a now $1.8 million cap) of all eight clubs, hinted he was far from happy with having to hand such a large sum to an under-performing club.

"I have said to Anthony Lee, this is not about him or the club's backers losing their investment but they have to be aware of what is at stake," said Carroll. "They are not alone in requiring assistance.

"I speak regularly with [Knights benefactor] Brian Katzen. He is committed to having a successful club but the time is right to clear the decks. Anthony has said he is ready to accept any assistance we can give.

"The situation is even worse now that the till is dry. The FFA [Football Federation Australia] and Brian Katzen are propping up the Knights.

"The A-League has turned over A$60 million ($69 million) in its first season and to be fair, the Knights are not alone in finding themselves in the position they are but it is made worse because their team was not up to strength."

But Carroll stopped short of saying the next season will be their last if they don't perform. "There will be a New Zealand-based team in the A-League in the future. Whether it is with the same owners is the big question.

"But now, in the Knights' case, the key for survival is a joint venture between them and New Zealand Soccer. And getting the right management structure in place."