Milos Degenek is confident the Caltex Socceroos' re-jigged formation will start to bear fruit ahead of Friday’s Confederations Cup clash with Cameroon.
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The combative defender is the only man to have played all five games since coach Ange Postecoglou changed to a three-man defence with high wing-backs earlier this year.
And after an encouraging second half against world champions Germany at the Confederations Cup, Degenek has declared the squad has complete faith in the system.
FULL BACKING FOR FRESH FORMATION
“Yes, one-hundred percent,” Degenek told FFA TV shortly after the side’s arrival in Saint Petersburg.
“The first game in Tehran was a bit difficult because it was brand new to us and we had two or three sessions before we started with it.
“It's a lot easier to play now.
“We understand each other's roles and I'm starting to get an understanding with Leckie - we're working together really well - and with Trent in the middle and Bailey on the other side, we're understanding each other a lot better.
“We’re moving forward a lot better and controlling games a bit more and we're playing our football.
“I don't think Maty Ryan played one ball long from a goal-kick, which shows how confident we are in playing out from the back.
“It shows the system is working and we are capable of playing football against the world's best.
“I'm 100 percent behind this system because it's an offensive system and most of the boys in the midfield will get a good role.
“It's suited for players like Rogic, Mooy, Luongo, Troisi, Milligan, Jedinak and Irvine to start creating a bit of magic and get on the ball a lot more.”
CRUCIAL CAMEROON CLASH
The Caltex Socceroos have moved from Sochi to Saint Petersburg for their second game of the Confederations Cup against Cameroon on Friday.
And Degenek is predicting a titanic battle between the champions of Asia and Africa.
“I'm expecting a game that's going to mean a lot for both countries,” he said.
“It's a must-win game for both of us because we both lost our first games.
“A win for us means we go on against Chile and win that and we're into the semis.
“Against Chile, they were sitting back and hitting on the counter attack.
“They're very, very direct and very quick.
“I expect them to be very physical, very present and attack-minded.
“I'm expecting a lot of transition, fast football, a lot of breaks.
“They won't underestimate us - they'll see from our second half against Germany that we're a team that plays a lot of good football.
“They'll be prepared for us and we'll be prepared for them as well.”