Good attacking football - that is what Southern United coach Mike Fridge wants to see from his team this season.
The second-year coach does not think the Southern side scored enough goals last year, a big reason why the team finished at the bottom of the competition ladder.
But Fridge believes this year's team has more ''firepower'' across the park, something it might need against highly-fancied Waitakere United in its ASB Premiership opener at the Caledonian Ground tomorrow afternoon.
''I'm wanting to play good attacking football with lots of passing on the ground and lots of movement,'' Fridge said.
''Hopefully we are going to create some chances and score some goals ... I think we have added a bit more firepower to the squad this year. If we can get the supply to these guys up front, we should certainly score goals.
''And at the same time, hopefully we will be very difficult to break down. We have to close our opponents down and defend well.''
Last year, Fridge often used Tom Jackson, who now plays for Wellington, as a lone striker.
However, the head coach has vowed to use a different formation this season.
''I'm not looking to play the formation from last year,'' he said.
''I'm looking to have a go at teams, that's certainly the plan. But football is like a game of chess. You're trying to outwit the other coach and the other team.
''You've got to be prepared to try things.''
Josh Stewart and Scottish strikers Sam French and Tom McBride will attempt to fill the void left by Jackson's departure for Wellington.
Fridge has named defender Matt Joy, who has been with the team since 2011, as the team's captain this year.
Joy had an injury-plagued season a year ago, but is fully fit ahead of the new campaign.
The same cannot be said for defenders Ross Howard (groin) and Craig Ferguson (knee), who have both been ruled out of tomorrow's match.
Howard is expected to miss at least a month's play, while Ferguson trained on Thursday night and could return to the side next weekend.
Midfielders Seamus Ryder (knee) and Stewart (calf) were not considered for selection due to injury, but are not expected to miss significant time.
Harley Rodeka was unavailable due to work commitments.
''We're disappointed that players are injured, but I still think we will have a competitive team on the park,'' Fridge said.
''When one door closes for players, one door opens for other ones. We're looking forward to the game.''
While Waitakere United lost its opening match of the competition 4-0 to Auckland City last weekend, Fridge is not reading too much into the result.
''They will be a wounded animal because they lost their opening game,'' he said.
''I'm expecting a very difficult game. But at the same time, it's a home game for us and hopefully we will get good support. We won the corresponding fixture last year and it would be nice to do the same this year.''
In addition to having more firepower, Fridge also believes this year's squad has more experience than a year ago.
The signing of veteran midfielder Stu Kelly (34), who has played more than 100 games in the national league, including 23 for Otago United in 2009-10, is a big boost.
Only 11 players from last year's squad are back this year, with Fridge snapping up the likes of Auckland-based players Tristan Prattley and Rhys Ruka, and Christchurch based Alexander Williams.
''No disrespect to the players last year, but I think I have got a stronger squad this year with more experience,'' Fridge said.
''Sometimes inexperience let us down last year. The naivete we showed sometimes last year, hopefully we don't show this year.''
Tomorrow's game is the only Dunedin home game not being played under the roof, due to the Fleetwood Mac concert on Wednesday night.
Five of Southern United's games, including three of its six away games, will be televised live on Sky Sport.
Southern Utd v Waitakere Utd
Caledonian Ground, tomorrow, 2pm
Southern United: Tom Batty, Jude Fitzpatrick, Matt Joy (captain), Rhys Ruka, Andrew Ridden, Sam French, Andrew Mobberley, Tim McLennan, Zane Green, Stu Kelly, Tom Connor, Tristan Prattley, Alex Williams, Michael Hogan, Regan Coldicott, Sam Redwood.
Waitakere United (probable): Simon Williams, Aaron Scott, Ross Haviland, Brian Shelley, Tom Shaw, Brandon Barnes, Nathaniel Bowen, Brian Cunningham, Sean Lovemore, Craig Wylie, Nicolai Berry, Jake Butler (captain), Dylan Manickum, Sam O'Regan, Ryan Elder, Damian Hirst
Southern United
Home games
v Waitakere United, Caledonian Ground, tomorrow, 2pm
v Wellington Phoenix, Forsyth Barr Stadium, November 29, 2pm
v Waikato-Bay of Plenty United, Forsyth Barr Stadium, December 6, 4.35pm*
v Canterbury United, Rugby Park, Invercargill, December 20, 2pm
v Hawkes Bay United, Forsyth Barr Stadium, January 24, noon
v Wellington, Forsyth Barr Stadium, February 7, 2pm
v Auckland City, Forsyth Barr Stadium, February 18, 7.35pm*
Away games
v Hawkes Bay United, November 22, 1pm
v Wellington, December 13, 4.35pm *
v Auckland City, January 10, 4.35pm *
v Waitakere United, January 31, 4.35pm *
v Wellington Phoenix, February 13, 1pm
v Canterbury United, February 28, 2pm *
* = broadcast live on Sky Sport
