Sydney FC to chase more A-League records

Reigning A-League champions Sydney FC have targeted yet another record as they enter the new season prepared to embrace the challenge of being the hunted club.

In 2016/17, the Sky Blues won the Premiers Plate and grand final and collected a swag of league records along the way.

On the eve of their first-round game against Melbourne Victory at Etihad Stadium, Sydney central defender Alex Wilkinson declared this season's squad was even better.

The Sky Blues have added a number of new players including experienced former Socceroos defender Luke Wilkshire and Polish international winger Adrian Mierzejewski, while retaining the core of their record-setting squad.

"I think if every player can improve that five to 10 per cent, it's obviously going to lift the team performance as well, so that's the goal," Wilkinson said

"Being the defending champions of course every team is going to want to come out and beat you.

"That's a challenge that we're definitely all up for, and if anything, looking forward to.

"No (A-League) team has ever gone back-to-back premiers and champions and we've spoken about that since day one of the pre-season, that's one of our goals for sure."

Wilkinson had no idea why previous defending champions invariably hadn't performed so well the following season, but was adamant Sydney had the depth and mental toughness to avoid a similar fate.

"All I can say is that it won't happen to us," he said.

"We've got a very driven squad, a very mentally strong squad and one that is very focused on backing up last year and improving and doing even better."

Defending champions have often struggled to juggle domestic and Asian Champions League commitments, but Wilkinson welcomed the challenge.

"I think (the ACL) is definitely not a hindrance, it's something that's great to be be able to test yourself in," Wilkinson said.

"We're in it, we want to win it."

A near full strength Sydney face a Victory team missing three players away on international duty; Australians Mark Milligan and James Troisi and New Zealander Kosta Barbarouses.

"We're not worried about who's away and who's playing and who's not, that's out of our control and something we don't think about at all," Wilkinson said.

*