Perth Glory coach Ruben Zadkovich has detailed the challenge that lies ahead in the club's rebuild, saying he needs a few more transfer window periods to achieve his goals.
Glory, last season's wooden spooners, are in familiar territory after losing their opening two games of the A-League Men campaign.
Perth face another three games on the road, including Sunday's clash with Central Coast, before getting their first chance this season to play in front of their home fans - albeit it will be at Macedonia Park due to the delayed upgrade at HBF Park.
Glory were the hardest hit club during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the squad forced to spend large periods on the road.
The loss of home games cost owner Tony Sage millions of dollars, and coach Richard Garcia was sacked amidst the horror results.
Zadkovich has been tasked with turning around the club's fortunes, but says it will take time for the squad to gel.
He's also desperate to add more talent to his stable but the next opportunity won't be until January's transfer window.
In the meantime Zadkovich is determined to bring a winning culture to Glory.
"I just think we need to keep focusing on each game on its merits and making sure that we're super competitive first and foremost," Zadkovich said.
"And then the wins will follow.
"To be honest we'll need a few more windows as well and we'll need more time to rebuild the squad because we've got a massive task on our hands to rebuild a team and a club that was rock bottom.
"The squad needs to get strengthened.
"We've done some great work and (head of recruitment) Andy Keogh has been fantastic in bringing in a couple of really good players that are definitely going to help, but we need more and it's going to take time."
One-cap Socceroo Ryan Williams signed a three-year deal with Glory during the off-season and looms as a key part in the club's rebuild.
Williams believes the results will soon come.
"We've gelled. It just hasn't fully come about on the pitch for one reason or another," Williams said.
"But the more time we spend together on the pitch in A-League games, we'll be a lot better.
"I think the individuals we have now all have a passion to get better, all have a passion to win, all have a passion to get the club further up the league.
"As a mentality, that's what everyone is like."
The Mariners will be bolstered by the return of Garang Kuol and Nectar Triantis from international duty, while Dan Hall is back after serving a one match suspension.
