Three matches in and still without a win, it does not help new Warriors coach Razif Onn that their opponents tonight are S-League leaders Albirex Niigata - currently on a seven-game unbeaten run.

The fixture against the table-topping football team could not have come at a worse time for seventh-placed Warriors as they seek to end a nine-game winless streak.

Ironically, their last victory came against tonight's opponents in March, when Albirex were beaten 2-0, and Razif is hoping that rare win will inspire his players.

"I want to look back at when we beat them 2-0 and I take that as inspiration. Hopefully, we can maintain the same kind of luck and nick a 1-0 victory - I'll be glad with that," Razif said.

However, the 62-year-old is unhappy with how the Warriors could muster only two points from two league games - in addition to a first-round Singapore Cup exit - since he took charge last month.

He said: "I'm very disappointed with the results, and also with the way the players played, but I haven't had the time to properly make changes.

"This is only my fourth game in under a month. In football, not much can be done in a short space of time. I can only correct things one at a time."

The clock is also ticking for Razif to make additions to the nine-time S-League champions but with the transfer window closing today, the only addition so far is 31-year-old right-back Jeremy Chiang.

Said Razif: "We've been looking at signing local players to strengthen some departments but time's running out. We just have to rely on our own players first to buck up and realise their roles on the pitch to have a good season."

Yogaraj Panditurai