The former Liverpool hero has seen the club go from wandering nomads last year to a stunning new stadium at Parramatta and the opening of their five star training facilities at Blacktown.

He's also swooped in the transfer market to bring in fresh new blood to the side from Europe and the Socceroos and seen the mood transformed at training as a result.

New signings Dylan McGowan, Rado Majewski, Pirmin Schwegler and Daniel Lopar have added substance to the team alongside existing stars like Mitchell Duke and Patrick Ziegler.

And the new unity has brought a new attitude to the side.

Now he believes WSW are set to be on the verge of something special.

"I think the biggest difference from last season is the team spirit," he said today. "There is a different atmosphere in the team.

"I have a feeling there is great enjoyment to work there – but also a great enjoyment to have a laugh there. It's a good mix.

"It is important that I see that if we do something on the training ground, the boys do it to 100%...but also with a smile on the face.

"This is the biggest difference to last season."

With a year in the A-League under his belt, Babbel is also finding it easier to plan a pathway through the competition this year, and with much better resources this time round.

He added: "Last season, to be fair, wasn't the best facilities.