The club's 2-0 victory over Newcastle Jets on Sunday attracted just 5,500 fans but Pignata says the low turnout was not a huge surprise.

He said the 6pm kick-off time had really done the club no favours. He told au.fourfourtwo.com today: "I always knew it wasn't going to be the best crowd. It's 6pm on a school night if you like and it's harder to get families in in that situation.

"We know crowds are down in the competition but the fact is that with the current economic situation, people are just not spending. We're an entertainment industry and we're not immune.

"Still, as a league we can't make excuses, we have to work together on this.

"But it's not doom and gloom here. We've been doing a fair bit of marketing and hopefully a Friday night game this time, against the league leaders - Fred's old club of course - will see the Phoenix fans getting along.

"The team has enjoyed a couple of good results and we want the fans to carry on roaring their support and bring a mate along with them."

Friday's match will see Fred feature in the second of his six-match guest stint but fans hoping for a permanent switch are going to be disappointed.

Pignata said: "We're grateful that his club DC United and the MLS agreed to let him join us but when that spell is up he will return to America to begin pre-season training with his club."

Contract talks continue at Westpac Stadium with Phoenix attempting to persuade numerous existing stars to extend their stay.