The question is always asked at the beginning of a new season: Will the premiers be good enough to defend their title?

For Sydney FC, this query is no exception as they go about becoming the first team in the A-League's short history to go back-to-back.

The Sky Blues have lost some key members from last season's championship-winning squad including Simon Colosmio, Clint Bolton, John Aloisi, Steve Corica and Karol Kisel but have added quality in the way of Nick Carle from Crystal Palace, goalkeeper Liam Reddy and defender Scott Jamieson from Adelaide.

These inclusions may not offset the losses but they go a long way to filling the void and coach Vitezslav Lavicka would have to be full of confidence as he prepares for the 2010/11 season.

Sydney have a great opportunity to create A-League history but will need to work as hard as they did last term when they overcame every hurdle put in their way.

Last season: Premiers tribalfootball's Prediction: 2nd

Arrivals: Nick Carle (Crystal Palace), Liam Reddy (Wellington Phoenix), Scott Jamieson (Adelaide United), Terry Antonis (AIS), Hiro Moriyasu (APIA Leichhardt)

Departures: Karol Kisel (Slavia Prague), Clint Bolton (Melbourne Heart), Simon Colosimo (Melbourne Heart), John Aloisi (Melbourne Heart), Steve Corica (retired), Chris Payne (North Queensland), Adam Casey (North Queensland)

Biggest signing: Nick Carle

Biggest loss: Simon Colosimo

Key men: Alex Brosque, Nick Carle, Terry McFlynn, Stephan Keller

Team list

Goalkeepers

Ivan Necevski Liam Reddy

Defenders

Byun Sung-hwan Shannon Cole Hayden Foxe Anthony Golec Rhyan Grant Matthew Jurman Stephan Keller Sebastian Ryall

Midfielders

Nick Carle Brendan Gan Scott JamiesonTerry McFlynn Stuart Musialik

Forwards

Mark Bridge Alex Brosque Kofi Danning

Coach

Vitezslav Lavicka