Heading into the second staging of the M80 Derby, ‘Le Patron’ and his Melbourne City squad has more questions hanging over their heads than answers. 

And while they’re certainly not unique amongst A-League clubs in that regard, it can be argued that the existential questions that hover over City carry with them implications that go beyond the next game, the next month or the next season. 

Having previously not lost consecutive games in the 2019/20 season, a City loss to Western United on Friday night would see them ring in the new year with three defeats on the bounce.

Nominally, a three-game skid, while not ideal, shouldn’t be enough to spark a metaphysical examination of a club - especially for one that sits second and plays in a league where there is no Sword of Damocles-shaped prospect of relegation hanging over clubs heads. 

But the nature of City’s previous two defeats, should they combine with capitulation against the new boys on the Melbourne scene, carries with it an unfortunate weight of history. 

Two weeks ago, heavier favourites than they had been in any previous game in the rivalries history, City crashed to a 2-1 defeat against Melbourne Victory in the Christmas Derby. 

A week later, despite being a goal and a man down after 25 minutes, Sydney FC took all three points away from a meeting of first vs second and went three games clear atop the table. 

Two huge games. 

Two painful defeats. 

But perhaps worse for City’s fans then the defeats themselves was that they just felt so painfully predictable - the latest chapters of the club ‘Hearting it' in their biggest moments. 

As any fan of City and/or Melbourne Heart can tell you, the club and pressure have never been comfortable bedfellows - their first decade in existence defined by a litany of failures in big moments broken only by a sole FFA Cup triumph in 2016.

If their supporters won’t tell you that, fans of other A-League clubs are certainly willing to pick up the slack. 

Indeed, being a fan of Melbourne’s second A-League team is seemingly an exercise in frustration but, appointed during this off-season, Mombaerts was quickly positioned as an antidote. 

He was a well-credentialed, European coach with experience in France and Japan that possessed new ideas and a fresh ethos.

History in the French youth system showed he could develop City’s stable of young talent and his time with Yokohama F. Marinos meant he was familiar with the arcane machinations of the City Football Group. 

Introduced to a collection of City’s most ardent fans at a private introduction soon after his arrival, he was also able to quickly endear himself to them via one important factor: he clearly wasn’t Warren Joyce. 

Arriving for his first day with his new club in an all-black outfit, sporting designer glasses and wielding a large briefcase, Mombaerts’ first impression cut a stark contrast with a predecessor that had become the biggest point of division between club and fan.

Joyce preferred getups were shorts and a training top while Mombaerts sported suits and had an endorsement deal with a Japanese glasses designer. 

Whereas Joyce spoke with a working-class, northwestern accent that frequently bellowed out from the dugout, Mombaerts speech is a ‘sophisticated’ French that is rarely raised. 

But most importantly, after Joyce alienated supporters by employing a plan centred on monopolising possession and grinding against a defence as a monotonous wave would crash against a cliff, Mombaerts talked of a free-flowing and fun to watch attacking style. 

As a loyal employee of the organisation, the 64-year-old had no qualms with evoking the CFGs name as he outlined his plans for City and, whether he intended to or not, gave fans in Melbourne dreams of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City or Ange Postecoglou’s Yokohama transported to AAMI Park. 

And despite some shaky pre-season performances against NPL clubs, things started well; his side advanced to the FFA Cup Final as Jamie Maclaren banged in the goals and his inverted full-backs touted by some as revolutionising the A-League. 

It was indeed a powerful first impression. Surely good times were on the way? 

Alas, reality is often disappointing – the ghosts of failures past residing in Bundoora not inclined to be exhumed by first impressions, solid resumes or sartorial flair.

Mombaerts, like those that came before him, will first and foremost be judged on what he accomplished on the field come the end of the season, and that means dealing with the daunting prospect of figuring the almost supernatural tendency his club has to collapse in moments that matter most.

Luckily for City, with 16-rounds remaining on the season and closest rivals Sydney and Perth Glory soon to commence Asian Champions League campaigns, he’s got more than enough time right the ship and pursue the Premier’s Plate.

With the likes of Maclaren, Harrison Delbridge, Josh Brilliante, Adrian Luna and Craig Noone at his disposal, the assembled squad is capable of meeting the challenge; even if Olyroos Denis Genreau, Connor Metcalfe, Tom Glover and Ramy Najjarine are set to miss up to a month on international duty. 

His leadership and ability to unsettle opponents clearly missed against Sydney, Scott Jamison would also be a welcome addition to the squad set to take on United should he recover from his illness.

The new year is often a time for fresh beginnings – a chance to leave behind the scars of the past and start anew. It’s an affirmation magnified by the new year also bringing in a new decade.

Making their way to AAMI Park on Friday night, City fans will be hoping that ‘Hearting it' is something consigned to the dustbin of the 2010s.