Two byes in the opening five rounds hindered United's start to the 2010/11 campaign, but with two home games in the space of just a few days, Bleiberg says it finally feels like their season is underway.

"After we play the Mariners on Sunday we then play Newcastle Jets on Wednesday at Skilled Park, so after hardly playing much during the early rounds we are about to make up for it in the space of a few days," Bleiberg said.

"We are seventh on the ladder, Central Coast are third, so we are playing a top team and it won't be easy.

"With the Central Coast it doesn't matter whether they're bottom or top, or who the coach is, or what year we're playing - they're the type of team that always gives 110%. All the good achievements in Perth will count almost for nothing if we can't back it up with a win at home.

"We have two home games and I expect at least one good win out of the two. Anything less than four points will be disappointing for us," Bleiberg declared.

The Gold Coast boss will be without young guns Tahj Minniecon and James Brown who are both away on national team duty with the Olyroos, but former Manchester United defender John Curtis is back after missing last week's trip to Perth with a minor hamstring strain.

Also returning to the squad are Brazilian brothers Anderson and Robson, along with young striker Golgol Mebrahtu who has recovered from his ankle knock, and powerful forward Andrew Barisic.

Barisic has good memories of last season's corresponding fixture, having come off the bench to set up one goal and score the other in a 2-1 win at Skilled Park.

Obliged to make at least two changes to his side with the absence of Minniecon and Brown, the short turn around before United's next match may prompt Bleiberg to rotate more of his troops in an effort to keep everybody fresh and ready to play.

"Making changes to the team is not what I want, it's what I need. We have a few changes forced on us because two players who played against Perth are now in Ho Chi Min City," said Bleiberg.

"I'm the type of coach who can play 24/7, 365 days a year with the same system, but sometimes you have to adjust it a little bit or adjust the personnel a little bit.

"I liken us to a chameleon because we alter a little bit depending on the circumstances. When the lizard goes on the sand it turns a bit yellow, and when it goes in the jungle it turns a bit green. That's how we perform - it depends on our position and what our circumstances are," Bleiberg joked.

"You have 4-3-3, 4-4-2 and now you have the lizard system," he laughed.

Definitely starting up front for Gold Coast is new signing Bruce Djite who made his United debut in last week's win over Perth.

Djite is already a key player in Bleiberg's plans for success this season with the Gold Coast mentor heaping praise on his new recruit.

"Bruce has become an integral part of what we do already," said Bleiberg.

 "From what I saw in Perth he looked much more mature, smarter and better skilled than when he left Adelaide.

 "Obviously, parts of his game have improved a lot from being in Europe. The whole package is better than when he left Australia and it was quite a good surprise. I mentioned it right after the game - that he played a big part in our success against Perth and hopefully he will play a big role on Sunday."