WHILE their bank balances might be running low, Central Coast's entire playing list have resolved to not be distracted by the club's ongoing financial problems.

Several players and coaches were weeks behind in payments as the club struggled to keep up with cash-flow demands, though it is believed the players' overdue wages were finally paid this week.

However, there are no guarantees the Mariners players or staff will be paid on time next time around. Most hope is based on a new Russian investor taking over the club in the next two weeks.

Yet while a less unified group would be flailing on the field, the team sits in second place. Coach Graham Arnold, himself understood to be in arrears, said the players had made a pact to stay committed to the club and not let the financial concerns distract their focus.

''I had a chat to them yesterday and at the end of the day, I'm paid to coach and they're paid to play, and anything that happens outside of that is outside of our control,'' he said.

''All we can control is training hard, playing football and enjoying each others' company. That's one of the special things about this group. They're all wonderful guys … and they'll support each other.

''The chairman, Peter Turnbull, is trying to sort things out … but, for the moment, nobody is owed money.''

The Mariners face Adelaide at Hindmarsh Stadium tonight and the Reds' poor start to the season has left Arnold believing there's every chance his side can win.

''Adelaide are wounded, you could say. They've got some good players out, like Dario Vidosic [back], and questions will be [asked] over [Sergio] van Dijk and how fit he is after three weeks out, so it will be tough for him to come back in,'' he said.

''We'll get prepared to play the same as we do at home, we'll go down there for the three points.

''We know it's going to be a hard game but we're in good form, so there's no reason not to go down there with a positive attitude.''