The Reds were in a similar position sitting last after Round 9 before losing just one game for the rest of the season on route to finishing first and claiming the championship.

Bruce Djite, Stefan Mauk, Craig Goodwin, Pablo Sanchez and Bruce Kamau were among the high-profile contributors who departed last season.

The United gloveman stood up for youngsters Ryan Kitto, Marc Marino, Ben Garuccio, Jesse Makarounas and Nikola Mileusnic saying the club has not given up on the A-League for the upcoming AFC Asian Champions League.

“It’s not fair on them (new players) to keep getting reminded about it (last season)" Galekovic said. "It's a whole new team, season and campaign with the ACL coming up.

“It’s tough to do what we did and to do it again this year… the boys get asked the question a lot, but we just worry about the next game.

“We don’t worry about last season whether we can do it again, it’s more about the next game and every game from now is a final.

“I think anyone can beat anyone on their day, top six make finals and when you look at it like that, we’re only two games off it.

“We have to get results every game to keep yourself in contention to get yourself in the six and try to build some momentum going into the finals to have any hope.”

United arrived back in Adelaide today after a 4-0 smashing to Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday – a week after the club recorded its first win of the season defeating Wellington Phoenix 2-0.

Galekovic admitted the result against the Roar caught his team cold.

“It did,” he said. “Even the week before the Nix game, Sydney FC topping the table away from home, getting a (0-0) draw from there and keeping a clean sheet.

“Last week built a lot of momentum then we copped four in Brisbane, it brings you back down to reality a bit.”