City have taken maximum points from their first two games, downing both Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory.

The side got off to a similar start in 2016/17, beating Wellington Phoenix as well as Victory, however Brattan feels there is a different mood under new manager Warren Joyce.

“We have to learn from last year, we’ve had a couple of good wins and I think it went to our heads a little bit,” Brattan admitted.

“The media pumped it up, but I think our mentality this year is different.

“We have a fair bit of critics and the being a big club we are, they’re going to continue to hang around until something goes wrong and we have to deal with that.”

City finished fourth last season with 49 goals scored and 44 goals conceded, but the main message from the coach was they were tightening things up at the back.

Fitzgerald agreed and also conceded they had some sloppy moments in the early stages of last season.

“I don’t think we were lucky at all (in the first two games),” Fitzgerald said.

“Victory probably had more possession, but in terms of our work rate, working together as a team, we actually got the result from the hard work and not the performance in itself.

“Last year, it might have been a game where we dropped points but this year we really worked hard together and got the result.”

City will take on Wellington at AAMI Park on Saturday at 5.35pm AEDT, with kids having free entry into the stadium.

Fitzgerald and Brattan both had their babies on the same day earlier in the year and opened up about their respective fatherhoods.

Brattan said having his daughter Amaya with partner Courtney was a healthy distraction from football.

“Everyone thinks that it’s all flashy lifestyle,” Brattan said.

“We make mistakes like everyone else and have families, we’re normal people and we’re just very lucky to do what we do.

“Having a family like this brings you down to earth, keeps you level-headed and humble.”

Fitzgerald also said juggling football would be tough without the support of his partner, Julie, both raising son, Harrison.

The 25-year-old urged families to bring their kids to the game and recalled the days he used to watch Northern Spirit in the NSL, idolising Robbie Slater.

“As a kid growing up I used to go to NSL games and to be able to bring kids in for free,” he said.

“All families should be coming out, it’s an early kick-off. So it’ll be great to see a good crowd for the Wellington game.”