Melbourne City might be bottom of the form league but defender Curtis Good reports Warren Joyce's ailing side are up for Saturday's A-League derby.
City's capitulation in Newcastle means the club have taken a sole point from their last four games - equal with rock-bottom Central Coast.
Matches against the league's top three come next - beginning with Melbourne Victory this weekend.
Good said City would draw confidence on strong derby results this season, beating Victory in round one and snatching a draw at the death in the Christmas edition.
"We've had some good results and I'm hoping we can replicate it again," he said.
"The boys are up for it."
Good is in line to return to derby action after six years away with English club Newcastle United.
After a slow start to his season, Good, 25, proved his fitness over summer and was even trusted by Joyce for a rare midfield outing as City battled unavailabilities against Adelaide.
"I haven't played in midfield since I was younger. It was nice to have a run around there," he laughed.
"I was told the day before I was chucked in ... not really much time to prepare and straight in at the deep end but that's how I prefer it.
"Straight in there, try your best and see what happens."
Good has fond memories of his previous derby outings in his 2011/12 season; like his club this campaign, he's yet to lose to Victory.
As an 18-year-old in just his third professional game, kept the likes of Harry Kewell, Archie Thompson and Marco Rojas goalless in a 0-0 draw at the Docklands venue for Saturday's clash.
Back then, he was under the wing of Heart assistant Ante Milicic, who this week was unveiled as the left-field choice to manage the Matildas.
If Milicic has maintained the same level of care and interest in young players he showed in the A-League, the Matildas appear to have found a winner.
"I really admired his tactical side," Good said.
"He was very precise in what he wanted and what we wanted to implement.
"As someone who was getting his first taste of professional football, it was good having him there to talk you through it and drill into you what needed to be done on game day.
"He's a very nice guy. I can't remember him ever having a go at me, he was very encouraging at lifting us up."
Australian Associated Press
