Despite claiming the Coca-Cola Federation Cup and placing third on the final ladder, Adelaide City did not see the 2013 Season as a success.

Captain Nick Budin was dissatisfied with the final result.

“It was disappointing. Although we won the Cup, we play to win the Championship. We don’t work as hard as we do all season to then be knocked out in the first round of the Finals.

However Budin does see a positive from the experience and is looking to claim the title that escaped them in 2013.

“It has given us a feel for what we will face next season and has definitely put more of an emphasis on what we look to achieve in 2014. We expect more from ourselves as a group, I expect more from myself.”

Pre-season training has recently commenced for the club however the 31 year old forward began his own personal training 8 weeks ago in an effort to reduce the amount of time spent on the side line next season.

“I am looking after my body to ensure I can get more games and do my best not to be as injury prone as I was last season. I will be monitored throughout the year and be ensuring that I look after myself as I get older.”

Budin is looking forward to having new signings, brothers, Alex Rideout and Jonathon Rideout, formerly at Cumberland United in the team, as well as Shane Tobias who joins the squad from Raiders.

“Shane and I used to have some really decent, physically battles on the field so it will be good to finally have him on my side for once!”

City midfielder and 2013 Coca-Cola Federation Cup Man of the Match Nicholas Bucco agrees with Budin on the season.

“I think winning the Cup was a success, however being knocked out of the early stages of the Finals Series was disappointing, anything less than a Championship is a failure; having said that, it has fired us up for a better 2014.”

With the 2014 season fast approaching, Bucco believes his side along with Adelaide Blue Eagles, MetroStars and Campbelltown will be the four to watch.

“I think it will be similar to last season. All four sides have recruited to be stronger than 2013 as they know that they cant sit back and watch teams as they are also getting better. We know we have to improve and all four clubs have moved a step in the right direction.”

Taking the Coca-Cola Federation Cup title in 2013, Bucco hopes his side can go back-to-back and is motivated by the opportunity to participate in the Football Federation Australia Cup. 

“We take every competition seriously but even more so now, being that we want to have the chance to prove ourselves on a national stage.”

Head Coach Damian Mori is looking to 2014 to put his side back on top where he feels they belong.

“Obviously we would have liked to have won the Championship. We won the Cup, but we weren’t as successful as we had wanted.

“There is always the expectation for us to win and we haven’t done so for a while, having come runners up for the past few years.”

Mori notes that having club veteran Jonathan Negus opt to join the State League for 2014 was a loss for the side, but looks to strengthen with the addition of the Rideouts and Tobias.

“The season is longer now and we need the quality that those players add.

“Sides like West Adelaide have recruited heavily with a lot of experienced players. MetroStars and Adelaide Blue Eagles are always strong and we need to compete.”