Assistant coach Andres Oliveira sees clear parallels between Inglewood United’s new season line-up and the teams he tasted considerable success in as a player.   Oliveira joined Inglewood over the summer and has spent the past couple of months working with Taki Nicolaidis in readiness for the coming National Premier Leagues season, which starts next weekend.

Oliveira, a six-time league championship winner through spells with Perth SC and South Melbourne, feels Inglewood are on track to achieve their goal of bringing silverware to the club in 2017.   “We have a team capable of winning the league and the players are becoming aware of that,” Oliveira said.   “They are still adjusting to each other but we will be ready for the season.”

“The effort they have been putting in at training and the disappointment when they lose or draw shows how great their desire to succeed is.   When I was playing we had a great team at Perth but it was the desire and ambition of each player that made us the best in the league, and I can see those same traits in the guys at Inglewood this year.”

Oliveira may have been with Inglewood only a short time but the one-time State striker says he very much feels at home with the club.   “Inglewood has been excellent, I’m really enjoying being part of the club” he said.   “The players, coaches and members have made me feel welcome and that’s made for a smooth transition.”

“There really is a lot to be impressed by about Inglewood.   Probably the thing that’s made the biggest mark on me has been the ambition and drive of the people around the club.   Everyone has a passion for Inglewood to succeed, from the president Ces (Colli) all the way to our kit guy Floria (Tiguan).   It’s going to be an exciting year for us and, hopefully, it will end with a trophy or two coming to Inglewood.”