Reputations will count for nothing as new Canberra United coach Liesbeth Migchelsen casts an eye over the squad she hopes can return to the W-League finals.
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The Dutch international has arrived in Canberra after taking over from championship-winning mentor Jitka Klimkova for the upcoming season.
Klimkova guided United to its maiden title in 2011-12 before the star-studded line-up missed out on the top-four last year.
Expectations of a quick rise to the top will again be high after an off-season recruiting spree which has netted veteran US midfielder Lori Lindsey and under-23 American striker Stephanie Ochs.
United has also been successful in regaining foundation co-captain and Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams, who was sidelined last season with a knee injury.
Migchelsen will kick-off pre-season training on Monday with a squad of 24 before it is whittled down to a 20-player roster.
''The squad is really strong, but my expectation is to reach the play-offs and then we will see what it brings,'' Migchelsen said. ''Everyone starts at zero. I want them to show me they want to be in the squad of 20 for Canberra United.''
Migchelsen has watched a handful of United's games on video from last season and got a first-hand look at several players in last weekend's ACT women's Premier League grand final.
While it is her first coaching position in Australia, experience isn't something she is lacking.
After a stellar playing career, including captaining her country among 95 appearances at senior level, the 42-year-old has held head coaching positions at a number of club sides in Europe and was the assistant manager for the Netherlands girls under-19s team.
Migchelsen also worked on her technical analysis of the game as the video analyst and scout for Russia at last year's men's Euro 2012 championships.
''This a big opportunity to see another culture,'' Migchelsen said.
''The mentality of Australia is totally different to what we have in Holland, so it's a big opportunity to develop players and coaches.''
Klimkova - now the coach of the New Zealand under-17 girls team - is in Canberra until Thursday to assist Migchelsen in the hand-over of the team.
One key addition is Williams.
The Matildas custodian is expected to return to Australia at the end of next month in time for United's round-one game against Brisbane Roar on November 9.
Williams missed all of the last W-League season after completing her rehabilitation from a knee reconstruction.
But after making an impressive comeback with the national team in a friendly against France earlier this year, Klimkova believes Williams will return better than ever.
''Having Lydia come back to Canberra is huge because she's an important part of our defence,'' Klimkova said.
''She made some incredible saves in that game against France.''