Soccer: Ghosts haunt Knights as they aim to down Jets

New Knights coach Paul Nevin is loath to look back but he admits that, with the ghosts of last season's debacle, continuing to rattle it is difficult not to.

"We can't afford to start like they did last season," said Nevin yesterday.

Asked whether he would be happy with a point [for a draw] in tomorrow's opening Hyundai A-League clash with Newcastle Jets at North Harbour Stadium, Nevin replied with a guarded "possibly". Quickly he added: "There is so much riding on the game. I want to win it. That's what we are aiming for. A win would be the best way to settle the players."

And get desperately needed fans on side. In their first-round clash in the Pre-Season Cup the two teams did share the points in a 1-1 draw. The Knights have struggled since, claiming two further draws.

But, in the opener against the Jets, there was a definite feeling that the new model was a decided step up on what was seen in the first season.

Although they have not kicked on from that, Nevin has cagily built his side, insisting the priority has been in getting his defence organised enough to "make it hard for teams to score against us".

To a degree, he has achieved that. Winning demands much more, and therein lies the challenge.

With goal-scoring hope Dani Rodrigues sidelined and likely to need three more weeks to recover from his hamstring injury, the pressure will be on Sean Devine and Adam Casey to produce.

Nevin will not be drawn on a starting line-up or formation, until after a light training session today. He has yet to make a call on his goalie options.

Mark Paston, back from international duty, is awaiting his A-League registration before being considered, which could open the way for Michael Turnbull's recovery from injury.

Nevin is aware of the threat posed by the Jets and points to Nick Carle as a real menace. He will also be aware of Labinot Haliti and will take more than passing interest in All Whites Vaughn Coveny and Steven Old.

Led by Paul Okon, Newcastle will be a contender and will want to kick their campaign off emphatically.

Coveny, who joined the side from Melbourne late last season, brings a wealth of experience to their attack and showed on his earlier visit his ability to play the target role.

"Newcastle are a decent outfit," said Nevin. "They did not have all their players when they came here earlier. At full strength they will be a real challenge. That's what we need."

The pressure is on the Knights. By a quirk of the draw, they will play five of seven first-round games at home.

The Version 2 season kicked off last night and continues tonight with Queensland Roar at home to much-travelled Perth Glory. In tomorrow's late game, Sydney FC are at home to Central Coast Mariners.