They are 10 points from sixth spot, have won just two games all season and are about to embark on their AFC Champions League campaign.
But Adelaide United boss Gui Amor believes the Reds are still capable of making a late-season charge into the top six.
The odds would appear against the Reds, especially as they’ll have an extra six games – and the extra travel – associated with their involvement in the ACL.
Hyundai A-League preview: Adelaide v Perth
While he admits it is a difficult hurdle for his side to overcome, the Spanish coach is adamant his players deserve more than what they have got so far in the 2016/17 Season.
Speaking ahead of Friday night’s clash against fifth-placed Perth Glory, Amor said: “The team need and deserve better results.
“I’m sure the team and the players, we don’t stop. We lose but we won’t stop.
“We know we need these points. Every week it’s more difficult [to play finals] if we don’t win.
“We think it’s possible to arrive [in the finals] until the last game.
“We work and we try more and we want to win more and [the Perth game] is an opportunity for this.”
Scoring goals has been a huge issue for the Reds, managing just 15 from their 18 matches this season.
Their shooting accuracy is just 42.5%, while their conversion rate is a league-low 9.8%.
Making matters worse, their two leading scorers Henrique and Sergi Guardiola (both with three), are no longer at the club.
But Amor denies it’s the club’s stuttering attack which is behind their disappointing season.
“When you don’t win, the problem is general,” he said.
“To say that it’s here or here – you win as a team and lose as a team.
“We are a team. Nothing’s final. There’s nine more games, 27 points.
“It’s better to think about [Glory] and winning the game.”
The Reds have a great home record against Glory, unbeaten in their last six clashes at Coopers Stadium, winning four of those.
New signings Kim Jae-sung, Eli Babalj and Baba Diawara are not yet ready to play for the Reds but could be available for their Round 20 clash against Newcastle Jets next Friday night.
