Hume City is keeping last season in the rear-view mirror in the hope they can turn their misfortune around in 2023.
The men from Valley Park finished last season in 12th position with seven wins for the season, only one spot above the relegation zone.
Head Coach Ersan Gulum, who only came into the job in late 2022 said it was a “tough” pre-season for his players.
“We had to start earlier than everybody else because there were a lot of things to work on,” he explained.
“There are a few things that I have implemented that I have seen over my football career that align with our core values on what it means to play for Hume City. Those little things that we have thought could bring a group together, bond, and bring a group together.
“We have drilled three core values into the playing group: togetherness, willingness, and attitude.
“I believe what I have implemented has to be more than just walking through the changing rooms and playing football, we have to create a bond where players are willing to play for one another and the badge and I think that is something that we have worked hard and strived for going into the pre-season.”
Hume managed to play two practice matches before Christmas, and upon returning they had a camp in Queensland and faced NPL outfits Green Gully and Dandenong Thunder.
“The pre-season matches have been good for us, although we weren’t worried about the results,” Gulum said.
“You want to look at your game plan and implement what you want to do, so if I talk about how they’re going on the field and what we implemented; it has been fantastic. Everyone is buying into what we are doing.
“On our trip to Queensland, we faced the Gold Coast Knights – who won the NPL last season, they are a good team, and it was good to see where we were at.
“The trip was also a good indication to see our togetherness and bring the playing group and coaching staff closer.”
Gulum was satisfied with the club's off-season recruiting after identifying the club needed to target experienced players who were able to play multiple positions.
“The new players coming in have adapted to our game plan very well and we have obviously kept the core group that has been there for numerous years that has made the transition for these players a lot easier,” he said.
“We have got Thomas Maricic (Dandenong Thunder) who will be a great centre-back for us, Yagioub Mustafa (Bentleigh Greens) is an established player in the NPL who did really well last season.
“James Brown (Caroline Springs George Cross) has been a part of the club previously and we needed a player who plays in his position who can be versatile and with experience. Dylan McGlade (Cork City FC) is a very professional and an experienced player who has played professional football and can give us versatility going forward.
“There is also Rory Brian who we got mid-season from Avondale last year, he played numerous games for us in the backend last year and did really well and looks good in preseason.”
Hume’s major weakness last season was their defence as they were ranked 12th for goals against. The addition of Tomas Maricic (Dandenong Thunder) will be massive for the club this season, as the 200cm big man will provide assurance in the air.
Gulum stressed his side has put in the hard yards over the pre-season and would have a game plan that will hold up come the start of the season.
“We are not going to say we are ready because no team is ready yet but it has been a positive preseason for us and one of the things we have really been working at is our defensive structure,” he clarified.
“If we can get our defensive structure right then our attacking third will do the rest for us.
“They have all improved from last year because they have had that capability of playing it is just bringing back that confidence and style to win games.
“You can see it in their eyes that they are ready for round one.”
Despite enduring a disappointing season last year, Hume will not be satisfied with just avoiding relegation once again.
“We will strive to be as good as we can, we want to be a successful club,” Gulum stated.
“There is only one goal that I believe in and that is to have a piece of silverware.
“I believe what this group has done in pre-season and what they are capable of doing is something I that I am a big believer in and I believe that they are going to be successful as long as they buy into what we are about.
“I believe that if they do they will be a successful team this year.
“I can see that there is a culture building and a winning environment, a team that wants to play for each other and be successful.”
Hume City starts their campaign on the road against Altona, before playing Heidelberg (home) and Avondale (away).
OPENING FIXTURES
Round 1: Altona Magic v Hume City
Round 2: Hume City v Heidleberg United
Round 3: Avondale v Hume City