Mistakes cost Reds in A-League: Isaias

Adelaide United playmaker Isaias knows what's wrong with the winless Reds.

"Big mistakes in attack and defence," the Spaniard said on Wednesday.

And he knows how to fix it.

"Keep working. Keep trusting in this style and this team. And keep working."

The 28-year-old said simple messages are key as the Reds travel to Wellington for Friday night's game against the Phoenix.

Adelaide have opened new coach Guillermo Amor's tenure with two draws and three losses.

And they are flying into a perfect storm at Wellington, who are pitching Friday night's fixture as a rallying cry in the club's Save The Nix campaign.

The Reds, the league's only winless club after five rounds, initially had trouble scoring - it took until last weekend for a Reds player to score.

Now they also have worries defending - letting in 10 goals in their past three games, all losses.

"It's hard," Isaias said.

"But we're professional players. We have confidence in ourselves.

"We know that we are in a bad situation but we know also that we have a very good squad and can turn the situation."

Adelaide's players departed on Wednesday, captain and goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic still sidelined by a knee injury.

Galekovic is expected to return in a fortnight with recruits Eli Babalj (foot, three weeks) and Iacopo La Rocca (foot, two weeks) getting closer to returns.