Kurz looks to strengthen Adelaide’s A-League squad

Marco Kurz has asked for reinforcements with a striker high on the list, but he is cautious about finding the right one.

Adelaide’s Ken Ilso has a shot blocked by Michael Zullo and Aaron Calver on Sunday night. Picture: AAP.

It’s been like a broken record for Adelaide United coach Marco Kurz.

Almost daily he has had to put up with speculation and unending questions about the makeup of his squad. Is he looking to sign new players in the transfer window? What type of player is he looking at?

And it came up again on Sunday after the Reds suffered a 2-1 loss to Sydney FC in a result that ended their slim hopes of finishing in the top two at the end of the season, and may well have jeopardised their chances of sneaking into the top four and earning a home semi-final.

While they are comfortably holding down sixth spot with 19 points and are seven ahead of seventh-placed Newcastle Jets, they cannot afford too many slip-ups with 14 rounds left, hence the need to shore up his squad, especially upfront where they have had most of their issues.

Baba Diawara’s long-term knee problem and an injury to ­George Blackwood, who is now back playing, has meant they have been light on for strikers and have had to rely on playing the likes of Ken Ilso and Ben Halloran upfront as stop-gap measures.

Kurz has asked for reinforcements with a striker high on the list, but he is cautious about finding the right one.

“Yes, again … again (it’s the same question). We are looking for a new player, but it makes sense we have to find a good one who can help us,” Kurz said. “It is not easy to find one in January.

“We are working and I am positive we still have a chance. There is nothing at the moment but we have time.”

The window closes on January 31 which leaves the United boss with room to manoeuvre, but there are also budget restrictions.

“We are Adelaide United. We are not (Melbourne) Victory, we are not Sydney, we are not (Melbourne) City. We have a different budget,” Kurz said.

“But, I am happy where we are at the moment.

“I am not happy we lost against Sydney, but we won the (FFA) Cup and we have 19 points so we are on a good track. But we have to keep performing well every week and again next Friday against Western Sydney is a really important thing for us.”

Apart from looking to new signings, Kurz also has to contend with the fact that 10 players will come off contract at the end of May, while his own future remains in doubt as talks are yet to happen over a new contract for the ­German, who is now in his second season with the club.

Aside from having to play Perth Glory next Wednesday, Adelaide have a softish run in the next couple of weeks that should see them cement their spot in the finals.

They play Western Sydney away on Friday, then Glory before successive games at home against the bottom two sides in the league — Central Coast and Brisbane Roar.

Ilso, who had to be replaced at halftime against Sydney after feeling ill, should be available for the game against a Wanderers side that is close to a win.