Aaron McCarey says Glentoran have adopted a "tunnel vision" approach this season and feels their early results demonstrate their steely focus.
The Glens sit top of the Irish Premiership after six games, and only conceded one goal in an impressive run of five wins and a draw.
Last season Mick McDermott's side had the second worst defensive record out of the top six sides in the top flight, while the year before their goals against tally was the best in the league.
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Goalkeeper McCarey puts the team's new-found resolve down to a "collective effort", and he hopes it can prove the catalyst for major silverware success this season.
"The defensive stats are a collective effort. It is something we talked about in the off-season. We chatted about it during the summer and said it was something we wanted to improve on," he told Belfast Live.
"We have stuck to our work and done well, and Saturday's result against a very good Coleraine team showed that. They have improved their squad during the summer and are always tough to play against.
"Clean sheets breed confidence, and we know if we do that then with the attacking threat we have then we will score goals and win games.
"It is down to us at the back and even the midfielders and attackers to work as a unit. Everyone has been doing that this season and you can see that."
McCarey accepts there will be the usual pressure heaped on Glentoran to deliver a first Premiership title since 2009.
They flirted with the top spot last season before dropping away in the second half of the campaign.
"That's what you expect when you play for a big club like Glentoran. There are expectations there and sometimes a draw isn't good enough," McCarey said.
"That's the nature of the beast and you would rather have this pressure at the top than struggling for points at the bottom.
"The players know the fans demand success and they have been used to it over the years. It is something we want to achieve going forward.
"And the fans have been brilliant. They always stick by us and have been superb. It is well documented that the fans on the road are superb and have sold out every ground we have been to this season.
"And they would sell more if there was a bigger allocation. So to have that backing is great and drives the lads on."
Meanwhile, McCarey has welcomed the summer arrivals of Ollie Webber and Mike Argyrides to the club.
He added: "There is plenty of competition which is great. Ollie and Michael have come in and it has been great working with them, along with Ells (Elliott Morris) and we keep pushing each other to be better.
"It is great to have that competition, and it is something I had before with Ross (Glendinning) who was a great fella to work with as well.
"And the camaraderie among the squad is brilliant."
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