Clean sheet not the A-League goal for Moss

Glen Moss will sacrifice a clean sheet but he's determined not to give Adelaide United three A-League points in his bid to cement Newcastle's starting goalkeeper spot.

Moss will play his fourth game between the Jets' posts on Saturday as Jack Duncan continues his recovery from a foot injury.

Waiting seven rounds for a start wasn't the way the veteran envisaged his Hunter welcome to go.

But in a way, the former Wellington gloveman says he got lucky.

"I'll be honest, when I first came here and saw Jack training the first couple of weeks and thought there was no chance I'd get a game, because he was on fire," Moss said.

"He deservedly had the No.1 spot and unfortunately got hurt, so I've stepped in and trying to do the best I can.

"I've definitely felt better over the last couple of games in terms of positioning and reading the game."

Moss marked his Jets debut with a 4-1 home win over Melbourne Victory, and in the three weeks since Ernie Merrick's injury-ravaged side have maintained their spot in second.

The fourth-placed Reds - another season surprise packet - regain a number of players and have the potential to inflict pain.

But though Moss is yet to keep a clean sheet, he was alert but not alarmed by Marco Kurz's threats.

"It's something I've changed my mindset over, over my career ... as you play a bit more you realise you'd much rather win 2-1 and sacrifice the clean sheet than having a 0-0 draw," Moss said.

"You've got to be a bit more selfless. That's the attitude here - we're an attacking-minded team so we may concede goals, but as long as we score more."

Do that on Saturday and Moss felt the Jets were in a strong position to get through a busy summer unscathed, even without star strikers Roy O'Donovan and Ronald Vargas.

"It's an important time to set that benchmark," he said.

"Because teams will start to figure you out at this stage of the season and the run-in after Christmas is always harder."

STATS THAT MATTER:

* There have been eight clean sheets across the last nine meetings between these teams, including two nil-nil draws

* Newcastle Jets have scored in each of their last 10 A-League games, never before have they gone longer

* Adelaide have made a league-high 48 per cent of their total shots from outside the box this season