Soccer: Hay claims NZ media too unforgiving

New Zealand Knights captain Danny Hay says he's pleased to be playing in Western Australia tomorrow, because the A League soccer game against Perth Glory will get him away from "unforgiving" fans and journalists.

"I am quite happy to be away from New Zealand media and the New Zealand crowd," he told the Special Broadcasting Service in Perth.

"They're a little bit unforgiving, so it is nice to be here in Perth."

Last week Knights management criticised the media for being too negative in its coverage of the struggling Knights, who are firmly rooted to the bottom of the table.

Despite the clubs' poor position, Hay said the team were still a tight-knit bunch.

He said the team all got along well together "so, it is just a case of dragging that out onto the pitch and really wanting to work hard for each other".

"We're a pretty good bunch of lads, the team spirit has never been in question," he said.

The Knights, unlike their Australian rivals, did not participate in the World Club Challenge qualifiers competition before the A League competition started.

They have so far lost 10 of the 11 matches they have played.

The Knights have signed a number of seasoned English players, but this week lost defender Ronnie Bull, who decided to go home to England for personal reasons.

The Knights flew into Perth on Tuesday afternoon and said they hoped to beat Perth at Members Equity Stadium, and put a stop to their long run of defeats.

Hay admitted that the Knights had been struggling more than they had anticipated.

"One of our own English boys packed up this week and went home and there is a little bit of unrest amongst our boys," he said.

"It is going to be one of those games where you just have to put all that behind you...hopefully we can try and pick something up here.

"We are a little bit isolated on the table...we have got no excuses, our performances this season have not been up to it .

"They have been up and down and we would just like to work as hard as we can and try to graft out a few results."

Hay -- who played alongside the present Glory captain, Jamie Harnwell, in Perth during the 1998-99 season, before departing for Leeds United in England -- said he would be delighted to get a win against the odds on his old stamping ground.

- NZPA