Fury have attracted plenty of positive headlines with their capture of Robbie Fowler but the former Liverpool striker's arrival was not accompanied with claims that it would leave the Townsville boys unbeatable.

It is all rather different further south with United owner Palmer talking up his team's chances of going through the whole campaign without losing a game.

Matheson does not believe that is a realistic goal in an A-League which has strict financial structures in place.

He also worries that Palmer's strategy risks leaving pumped up fans more than a little disappointed if the reality is rather less exciting than the hype.

Matheson told the Townsville Bulletin: "Statements like that are totally unrealistic, especially with the way the competition format is at the moment.

"But the guy is a colourful character, he's put his money where his mouth is and I respect that the game needs that. But I think maybe he should take more advice off his media people to say stop making these outlandish statements."

Matheson simply takes the view that the greater the pressure you place on yourself, the greater the likelihood of coming sadly unstuck.