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New Perth Glory skipper Michael Thwaite is adamant the fractures of last season are a thing of the past, saying the current squad are united and ready to taste A-League success.
Glory were beset by infighting last season, with a player-led revolt eventually leading to the downfall of coach Alistair Edwards.
New coach Kenny Lowe has been well-received by the players, and the club is optimistic they can challenge for the title this season after luring proven performers Andy Keogh, Youssouf Hersi, Mitch Nichols, Ruben Zadkovich, Diogo Ferreira, Richard Garcia and Dino Djulbic to Perth.
Thwaite was unveiled as the new Glory captain on Thursday, with the 31-year-old taking over from retired midfielder Jacob Burns.
Perth narrowly avoided the wooden spoon last season, and Thwaite said it was imperative to create a winning culture in order to keep the group united.
“None of that (fractures) exists right now,” Thwaite said.
“We’re making a conscious effort to change things this year.
“We just need to focus on winning, and then those problems won’t occur. If you’re losing games, there’s always going to be someone who’s not happy.
“This happens in every single club in the world.”
Although the bookies have written off Glory’s title chances, Thwaite said the club should be aiming high.
The much-needed bolstering of Glory’s medical department will help the team’s cause.
“I’m sick of seeing the success of other teams and watching the ACL and grand finals on TV,” Thwaite said.
“I haven’t won a championship since I was at Melbourne Victory, which was five years ago.
“We want to win something this year. We want to be part of the Asian Champions League.”
Winger Sidnei will miss the first few rounds of the season due to a calf injury, but Perth have a clean bill of health apart from that.
Lowe said the group’s major challenge this season would be to improve their away form, and their bid to do that will get an early test when they open their season against Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand on Sunday.
Thwaite, who previously captained Gold Coast, said he was honoured to be handed the skipper’s armband at Glory.
But just because he’s now the captain, he won’t be changing his funky goal celebrations.
“My character never changes,” he said with a laugh.
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