Ten consecutive losses would test the spirit in any team but, surprisingly, the atmosphere in Southern United's dressing room is quite buoyant.
Southern finished last season in a slump, only avoiding the wooden spoon on goal difference, and is still searching for its first points this summer.
But unfazed coach Luiz Uehara remains adamant his side is getting better each week as he implements his long-term plans for improvement.
''Against Canterbury, we were the better team for long periods. I was pleased with that performance, especially in terms of our game awareness and team cohesion.
''A lot of what we've been working on the training pitch is showing out in games and that's pleasing. We have a long-term plan and it's good to see such positive signs so early.''
Hopefully, for United fans, those positive signs will produce a win over Waikato-BOP in Cambridge today.
Injury problems have again plagued the Southern team. Effective centreback Peter Overmire is nursing an injured ankle and midfield/forward Peter Rae is also marginal to play.
Waikato-BOP sits in sixth place on the table, four points ahead of United, after squandering a 3-1 lead last week and drawing 3-3 in a thriller with youth side Wanderers.
Wanderers' equaliser came in the 97th minute, when former Hibernian goalkeeper Andrew McNeil conceded a penalty, and Nick Sugden scored.
The northern side's physical threat from set pieces has been noted by United coaches Uehara and Darren Hart. Southern will need to match that physical intensity to win enough possession to chase the win.
Southern v Waikato-BOP: Cambridge, today, 5pm
Southern United: Tom Batty, Jeferson Potrich, Matt Joy, Peter Overmire, Campbell Attwood, Nicki Hindson, Morgan Day, Aajay Cunningham, Andrew Ridden, Regan Coldicott, Taylor McCormack, Geordie Mansford, Daniel Morris, Henrique Alves Viana, Campbell Higgins, Jacob Schneider.
Waikato-BOP: Andrew McNeil, Marcel Corbera, Aaron Scott, Takahiro Yokota, Masaki Nomoto, Mark Jones, Milos Nikolic, Maksim Manko, Shaydon Young, Alexis Varela, Thomas Probert, George Slefandorfas, Jack McNab, Ben Latham, Danyon Drake, Scott Hilliar.
