If you look at it logically, we were balls last season and there doesn't appear to be a heck of a lot to suggest that we won't be balls again this season. There has been change, some for the better, some for the worst and some with a big question mark. There's certainly nothing there for me to suddenly feel optimistic about, it's very much 'while there' life there's hope' as far as I'm concerned.
Feeling a little more optimistic than that - so far, better players, better manager - but likely better opposition.
From another thread... looking at the 16 signed players (and Smith), the Nix might be better off so far than at the end of last season, e.g.:
Taylor >>Rossi, Williams >>Rogerson, Kurto>Velaphi
Fenton=Parkhouse
Kopa perhaps < Paracki, and Nichols v Ljujic will depend on which Nichols shows up (the 'big question mark'?)
Another question will be whether the last seven or so signings are better than the ones they're replacing (Mullen (Tratt?), Ridenton, Kalu (Soo??), Patterson, McGarry, McGlinchey and Galloway)
This year's manager has a better record than last year's, maybe at a lower level - but rather that than one with a poor record at a higher level.
On the other hand, the other A league teams seem to be shaping up better overall than they were last year, going by the quality of signings.