They may be rival coaches but at least Frank Farina and Miron Bleiberg can agree on one thing - the Brisbane Roar face one of the biggest challenges of their A-League history at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
Usually one to play his cards close to his chest, Roar coach Farina has not tried to hide just how badly his depleted side are struggling in the absence of their biggest names.
Skipper Craig Moore has been called up by the Socceroos, and key trio Henrique (knee), Massimo Murdocca (broken leg), and Michael Zullo (groin) are on the injury list.
If that was not enough, Charlie Miller, Danny Tiatto and David Dodd were all suspended in the fallout over their fiery last round loss in Melbourne.
"I don't think any team in the league has had their stocks depleted like we have at the moment," Farina said.
"But I know this group are battlers, they work hard.
"We will be underdogs. We are happy to wear that tag."
And United mentor Bleiberg is happy to give it to him.
Bleiberg has his own headaches with Socceroo Jason Culina unavailable along with New Zealand scoring machine Shane Smeltz.
But it is nothing compared to the migraine Farina is enduring.
"Originally we were the ones crying foul because we were without Culina and Smeltz," he said.
"But I agree, the circumstances have changed and I believe the Roar are the underdogs and we are in the favourites position.
"I am not hiding from that.
"I expected us to win anyway but definitely we are not the underdog, they (Roar) face a big challenge."
Foundation player Josh McCloughan - who steps up as Roar skipper - said he had never seen anything like their gutted side in his entire time at the club.
"Frank was handing out bibs at training to the starting 11 and it was like trying to find a needle in a haystack - he couldn't find anyone," he said.
"I think it is the biggest challenge this club has faced since I have been here, in terms of players lost, injuries and suspensions.
"We need 15 guys to stand up if we are going to get anything out of it."
But motivation won't be a problem for the Roar who are still smarting from their season opening 3-1 thumping at the hands of the rookie upstarts United.
Further spice has been added by the Roar who launched a mock competition to find United a mascot -- offering a choice between ex-AFL star Warwick Capper, garish white shoes and a bikini-clad meter maid.
But Bleiberg wouldn't bite on the issue.
"I appreciate what they have done to help promote the game, it was in good spirit," he said.
"I am happy to be on the judging panel and get the meter maid cheering on the sideline - she was very attractive."
Asked who got his vote, Farina laughed: "(children's TV show character) Humphrey B Bear would probably suit them."
