Roach, a 21-year-old who has played for Reading and Southend in England's lower divisions, is just one of a trio of new signings Pride boss Jeff Hopkins believes will add firepower and steel to the team's line-up this season.

Hopkins has finalised a deal with Parramatta Power to take midfielder/striker John Angelucci on loan for a season, and has moved to strengthen the defence with the acquisition of experienced Korean Dong Ki Kim, who has moved as an out-of-contract player from Adelaide City.

``These are significant signings to complement last year's squad and our on-field performances will be a lot stronger,'' Hopkins predicted.

``Last year's pre-season effort was very hurried, and that in turn affected the team's on-field performances. This time round (having begun pre-season in early August) we have a lot more time to evaluate prospective players and give them the appropriate on-field role.''

The Pride, formerly Gippsland Falcons, proved hard to break down for most of last season, but struggled for goals.

Hopkins has had a clearout up front, releasing strikers Peter Kakos and Igor Mandic and midfielder Sandy Robertson to make way for the new forwards, who will, along with stalwart Brian MacNicol and Juan Nilo, be the main strike force.

``To be honest, we created plenty of chances but didn't capitalise on them. Hopefully this new line-up will be more productive,'' Hopkins said.

He has known Roach for a number of years, having coached the young striker when he was an under-16 player at the Reading centre of excellence, while Hopkins was with the club in the mid 1990s, when it was in the first division.

``He has had some bad luck,'' Hopkins said. ``Neville was in the first-team squad and played some games, went on loan to clubs in the Conference and was then transferred to Southend. But the manager who bought him for Southend (former West Ham defender Alvin Martin) was sacked about a week after he joined, and the first thing the new manager did was go out and buy a striker he wanted.''

Hopkins has retained the core of his defence in Manny Gotis and Dean Fak, although he is under no illusions about how difficult it will be to replace the leadership qualities of former Socceroo Mehmet Durakovic, who has joined South Melbourne.

``Mem was very important and was a real leader about the place, but now the youngsters and others here will have to step up. Dong Ki Kim has been very good and shown a professional example in the short time he has been here.''

Hopkins is also giving trials to several potential signings, including New Zealand under-23 defender Greg Uhlmann, former Adelaide City squad member John Fusco and ex-Adelaide Sharks player Aaron Westervelt.