Soccer: Knights boss not making excuses

Knights boss Bob Patterson is not about to run away from what has become another season from hell.

He is pointing fingers as the club stumbles from one crisis to another but trying to maintain a brave face as crowds drop to embarrassing levels, the playing surface at North Harbour Stadium remains under fire and the team struggle to score let alone win.

"We are not performing on the park. Simple as that," said chief executive Patterson yesterday. "We got well beaten by Melbourne and had that horrendous result against Queensland. Since then, everything has fallen apart."

Patterson acknowledges the gate from one of Melbourne's home games could be more than the Knights will see all season.

"They have been marvellous. They got just under 40,000 for their game against Sydney and over 26,000 on Sunday when they played Queensland."

The official attendance for the Knights game against Central Coast Mariners - last year's Hyundai A-League beaten grand finalists - was a paltry 1632.

"We have to aim at 10,000," said Patterson.

He admits the club was tardy in not challenging the season's draw.

"While, on paper, having five of seven games home at the start of the season was attractive, reality has been somewhat different in that we have had to play at a time when the surface, through no fault of the stadium management, is at its worst in having to accommodate so many rugby and league matches."

The kick-off times - two at 12.30pm on Sundays and two at 8pm on Thursdays - have not helped, but Patterson refuses to use that as an excuse.

"It all comes back to the lack of consistency on the park," he said. "If the team were winning, or at least performing, we would not be in this position. We sit down every week to look at ways in which we can attract more people to our games. There is no easy answer other than looking at results."

Patterson is far from happy "but no more than [coach] Paul Nevin".

"You can't judge the guy until the end of the season. He has a one-year contract and as much as, or more, than anyone he wants to succeed."

Patterson rejects suggestions the club faces the chop in light of poor crowds and dismal playing record.

"That has never been raised," he said. "We have been left alone to concentrate on what we need to do."

With the second of four A$300,000 payouts from the league due next month along with the $600,000 invested by new co-owner Maurice Cox, the club was staying afloat financially.

* Former Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday star Benito Carbone began his four-game stint at Sydney FC in spectacular fashion last night.

The Italian set up two goals and scored the last in a 4-1 demolition of Adelaide Utd at Hindmarsh Stadium.


KNIGHTS' TALE

* Drew Newcastle 0-0

* Beat Adelaide 1-0

* Lost Melbourne 0-3

* Lost Queensland 0-5

* Lost Sydney 0-1

* Lost Central Coast 0-1