Bolton, who turned 35 last Sunday, should know having been a mainstay at Sydney FC for five seasons before switching to the southern capital’s newest franchise in the off-season.

He’s seen it all in the A-League and he reckons we’ve reached a point where we can be very happy with the league’s progress – a view shared by many since the league kicked off in early August.

“The standard’s progressed and coaches and players have realised that the best way is to go out and really have a go at teams,” he told au.fourfourtwo.com.

“It’s exciting for everyone and for me to be a part of. The key is how even it’s become. Now any team can threaten. Look at Fury? There’s no reason they can’t continue their form.

“You let your guard down in this league and you’re gonna get hammered. There’s quality in this league that will punish you for making little mistakes and that’s happening with us.”

Bolton’s comment alludes to Heart’s slow start to the season. One draw and two losses sees them holding up the rest of the league heading into Sunday's clash with a resugrent Perth.

And the perfectionist that he is, the former Socceroo is pulling his hair out at the defensive lapses that have cost Heart, who’ve conceded five goals.

Bolton points to last week’s 3-2 loss at Hindmarsh as a prime example despite it being a one-off in his eyes.

“Maybe we’ve taken a step backwards in the defensive department,” he said. “It was a bit more disorganised and we conceded a few chances. Especially me.

“Obviously there were issues and defence is your base where you work around. You’ve got to get that right first and foremost. We lost a bit of structure.

“I could put my hand up for some of the goals we’ve conceded. I look at myself and think I could do better."

Bolton, while refreshingly honest, also believes there have been small signs of improvement since Heart's opening round loss to Central Coast Mariners.

But it’s that elusive element of a growing lack of confidence that has crept in to Heart which will need to be blown out of their system.

“When things are going well, the ball rolls for you. When things aren’t going well things compound. Maybe you get a bit more frustrated and that influences your own game,” Bolton said.

“We have no excuses. We’ve just got to get down to that attitude of being desperate and hungry to do the hard stuff and once we get the ball play the style of football the coach wants.

“We just need a little bit of confidence with a win or good result. Once we get that first win on the board things will change. Like last year at Sydney, you find a way to win when you’re confident.”

Perth Glory visit AAMI Park on Sunday for a second time this season. The first was a momentous 2-0 victory over Victory in round two and after their unbeaten start to the season David Mitchell's men will be looking to extend that run to four matches. 

But Heart coach John van’t Schip isn’t panicking, said Bolton, as he and Heart search for their first three points in the A-League.

“John would be calm in a cyclone,” said Bolton with a smile. 

“In this league, anything can happen - even when the top side plays the bottom.”