Style counsel: Mike Mulvey says his British heritage is irrelevant when it comes to the type of football he coaches. Credit:Getty Images He has a point, and his style reinforces it. His team are as elegant as the Roar side that redefined the A-League under Ange Postecoglou. “I was watching Manchester United versus Stoke the other day and, as I still like watching United [Mulvey is a born and raised Mancunian]. I was delighted to see them sign Juan Mata. It's a sign they want to play the right way,” he said. “I don't like seeing long-ball. I'll switch the television off if someone starts with that stuff. My teams play football the way I like it played – you keep possession, you pass, you attack, and it has nothing to do with where I'm from.” The style brings results, too. At present, Brisbane lead the pack by seven points, have a game in hand and remain Black Caviar-odds to claim the minor premiership, which would put them in Asia next season. All despite Mulvey's poker face. “Well, I did let off some emotional release and got over-excited when we won in the last minute against Wellington Phoenix,” he answers back. “But the same happened last week and I was a lot calmer. That's learning from experience. I remember my heart was racing before my first grand final – that was when I was in charge of a Queensland's women team – but as you get older, you gain perspective and can control your emotions.”

Premature evaluation: A group of Roar fans show their displeasure at Mike Mulvey's appointment last February. Credit:Getty Images Mulvey was hardly an attractive appointment when he took the job. In the years before, he'd had a brief spell in charge of Gold Coast as they died an undignified death, then took charge of Melbourne Victory's women's team. Signs of “Mulvey Out” were up before he was in; fans felt they'd been short-changed after trappings of luxury in previous years. Nor were the players thrilled about all the changes. “There was a culture of entitlement here,” he muses. “One I knew straight away I had to change. There were lots of little things that needed cleaning out. Players were too comfortable, or, in some cases, still working off promises from previous managers. I had to end that because it was holding the club back. “I didn't arrive with any preconceptions because I think you need to observe at first. I soon realised what was wrong, what needed tweaking. I needed to remind them what it would take to become a great team again.”

Central to that greatness is Besart Berisha. He's leaving for Melbourne Victory but the boss doesn't hold it against the breathtaking striker. They have such a good relationship that after scoring last week's dramatic winner, Berisha whispered in Mulvey's ear: “That was for you, coach.” “I completely understand why Besart made his decision and it's the realities of a salary cap,” he said. “They made him a great offer and he's got a family to look after. I can't hold that against him.” They have at least managed to get one back, re-signing skilled midfielder Steven Lustica from Adelaide. “We didn't expect he'd be here so soon. We were looking to get him when his contract expired in July,” Mulvey said. “I like him with a view to next season because we're going to lose players to the Asian Cup. The FFA say there will be minimal disruption, but I'm not so sure.” Friday night brings the Roar south to Parramatta Stadium, a venue where they have never won, against a team who crushed them in the semi-finals last season. It was a night Mulvey remembers well. He admits there were tears from some players but believes it will end differently this time.

“We return a vastly different team. Our players were intimidated by the crowd, the noise, the energy and the opposition,” he said. “Now, we can't wait to have that crowd in our face. We'll be lifted by it. That's the difference between this year and last year.”