Sydney Roosters half-back Mitchell Pearce has declared the 2010 season has to be his best yet if the club is to offload the wooden spoon and bury the memories of its worst season in more than 40 years.
Pearce heads into his fourth year in the NRL knowing he must stand up and be counted for the Roosters to mount one of the biggest turnarounds in league history and build a title challenge in 2010.
The Tricolours finished with their first wooden spoon since 1966 following a disastrous 2009 but insist a revival is on its way new coach Brian Smith.
And Pearce will be pivotal to that success – or failure.
"I want this to be my best year. I know I have to play well this year if we are to do anything," Pearce told Sportal.
"There's a fair bit of pressure on the club – we've got to perform and I know I've got to perform and do my bit."
"We can't afford another year like the last one and I'm happy to take on more responsibility."
"I just want to win a few games at the start of the season because I know how happy everyone was and how good the feeling was in 2008 and I want us to recapture that and get us back to near the top of the table again."
Pearce will have more attacking weapons at his disposal to start the season following the return of five-eighth Braith Anasta from injury and new signing Todd Carney's emergence at full-back.
The Roosters will trial Carney at No.1 during the pre-season and have former Test custodian Anthony Minichiello as another option.
Pearce said of Carney: "I've always admired his footy and couldn't wait to play with him when I heard he'd signed."
"He's been really impressive since coming here and it's no surprise that he is handling the full-back role because he's such a talent."
"Hopefully the three of us (Pearce, Anasta and Carney) can all work together and score some points."
While Carney's seamless transition from the halves to full-back hasn't shocked Pearce, new coach Brian Smith has.
The Roosters No.7 wasn't sure what to expect when Smith arrived at Bondi, the veteran coach's reputation as a harsh disciplinarian lacking in humour preceding him.
"I have found him a bit different to his reputation and all the other boys have said the same," Pearce said.
"All the rumours you hear about Smithy aren't really nice but I've got nothing but nice things to say about him."
"He's been pretty calm, more so than people perceive him to be."
"You've got to take people on face value and I've found him a good personalty and a good coach."
"He's been good for the club so far so hopefully we can repay him on the field."