There’s only one focus for South Melbourne in 2015, and that’s their own game, as head coach Chris Taylor declared that the proud club will once again set the benchmark for the NPL Victoria.
The reigning champions face stiff competition in the second edition of the NPL, in the form of Bentleigh Greens and Oakleigh Cannons, both of whom have considerably strengthened their squads in the off-season.
Taylor however has admitted that there’s no need to look back at their competition, just as long as they’re focused on their own development.
“We’re just worried about ourselves. We’re the yard-stick of the league, we’re the one that everyone’s trying to match, so we need to take it to the next level and that’s what we’re trying to do,” the head coach said.
“We’ve got more depth in the squad but we expect to be challenged again. Our aim is to win [the NPL Victoria], the same as every other clubs aim should be.”
Despite claiming the state league honours at seasons end, one thing that eluded the Blues in 2014 was a berth in the FFA Cup, and after witnessing the success of the competition – which saw opposition Bentleigh fall one game short of the Grand Final – Taylor has declared qualification as a major target for the upcoming season.
“It’s certainly an aim, but there’s a lot [of other things to consider], the right players available at the right time, playing the right sort of teams,” he said.
“It’s a cup so it becomes a bit of a lottery that we have to qualify by playing four or five games. The aim is to get to the final stages and get drawn against an A-League team, without doubt.”
Taylor also confessed that he’d personally like to see a direct qualification spot given to the reigning league champions of each confederate.
“I think the romance of a cup is having teams like South Springvale last year, that’s great, but I think you also want to have the best teams out there, he said.
“There’s no better way than having the league champion of the previous year qualifying automatically.
“I know the winner of the national play-offs get direct passage, but I think the winner of each state should get direct passage. But that’s just my opinion.”
But with plenty of time between now and the commencement of the new season, the South Melbourne camp must first ensure they’re firing on the pitch.
In the wake of their 5-1 friendly win over Springvale White Eagles on Saturday night, they look well on their way to achieving peak form, but their coach concedes it means little at this stage, with fitness the main concern.
The game saw star-striker Milos Lujic net a brace, while Brad Norton, Leigh Minopoulos and new boy David Stirton all added one a piece.
“I don’t think it’s really about form at the moment, it’s more about getting people fit and that’s what [our pre-season] was designed for,” he said.
“We’re back on Lakeside Stadium on Tuesday for training, Wednesday for a game [against Mornington], that’s when the serious stuff begins.
“Really, we’re just keeping everyone relatively fit and then we’ll start working on systems and structure.
“It was just a bit of a hit out for the boys, it’s better than training and we get a bit of a run – [No injuries] is obviously the main thing.”