Adelaide United's new-found team spirit will help the A-League club overcome their finals hoodoo, captain Eugene Galekovic says.
Galekovic believes the Reds' motivation to claim a long-awaited breakthrough title will be key in Saturday's away elimination final against Central Coast Mariners.
This time last year, Galekovic blasted Adelaide's culture after the Reds missed the finals.
But now, Galekovic says new coach Josep Gombau has galvanised the Adelaide playing group.
"You can talk about styles, but I just think it's a very tight-knit group now and that is credit to him," Galekovic told reporters on Friday.
"We're playing for each other and we're getting results.
"We haven't achieved anything yet but we're onto something and hopefully that happens this finals series."
Galekovic and Adelaide have nothing to show for five past finals campaigns which ended without a title.
But the goalkeeper senses a difference as the Reds prepare for their away encounter against the defending champion Mariners.
"We're in the finals and we have to win a trophy," he said.
"It's easy to say we'll just try to do our best and try to achieve as much as we can.
"But in 10 years, we haven't won anything at this football club.
"I want to win a trophy and the group is very motivated to win one as well. We're a good chance to win one now - why not?"
Galekovic expected the Mariners to employ counter-attacking tactics in the knockout final on a choppy Gosford pitch which Central Coast coach Phil Moss said would favour his side.
"The pitch on Saturday won't be the best because there's three games of rugby league on it the night before," Moss said.
"Adelaide like to play on a carpet and knock the ball around."
The Reds haven't defeated the Mariners in Gosford since 2008/09 - their past seven visits have returned six losses and a draw.
"It's our fortress," said Moss.
"And we have got a lot of boys who have a lot of experience in cut-throat football and that will serve us well.
"But we've also got some young boys who play with no fear and we've got a lot of pace in key areas so I think we're in great shape."
