SOCCER megastar Dwight Yorke says he will be an unmitigated flop if he fails to score at least 10 goals for glamour club Sydney FC.
In a statement of Yorke's genuine desire to deliver Down Under, the former Manchester United striker insists he aims to set the A-League alight.
Since his arrival in Australia six weeks ago, most newsprint has been devoted to Yorke's off-field party-boy image - prompting critics to question whether he truly yearns to succeed on the pitch.
But after scoring on debut for Sydney FC in the Pre-season Cup, Yorke revealed his blueprint to shock the doubters by becoming the league's most prolific marksman.
"I always set myself for double figures," Yorke said of his goalscoring ambitions. "Once you get to double figures, that is successful. I expect to be up there with the top goal-scorers in the country."
Yorke, 33, accepts he is under enormous pressure to succeed in Australia. It is an expectation heightened by the glamour lifestyle Yorke intends to lead, his status as the A-League's headline act and the rumoured $800,000-a-season Sydney FC forked out for his services.
Pessimists have questioned the wisdom of Sydney FC's purchase. They point to Yorke's recent stint at Birmingham, whose fans shouted "you lazy bastard" in his final weeks with the club.
But the former Trinidad and Tobago international says his fear of failure is real and he wants to prove it by piloting Sydney FC to an inaugural championship.
"I'm expecting to be among the front-runners for the player of the year award. That's a goal for me," Yorke said.
"And I'm expecting us to win the league.
"All of these things are achievable, but it's not going to be easy. You have to be prepared to work extremely hard to achieve all of these things - and I'm prepared to work hard."
Former Socceroo Robbie Slater, who opposed Yorke in his tenure at English Premier League club Southampton, said the controversial striker would be a resounding hit.
"I've spoken to Dwight and I know he wants to do well," Slater said.
"I have no concerns about his form. He'll score goals and be a standout in this league.
"I know there are a lot of jokes because he's in the social pages and a lot is made of his lifestyle, but Dwight never goes over the top.
"You don't achieve what Dwight has if you don't apply yourself. I know Dwight has an expectation of himself. It shines through in his eyes."
Slater believes Yorke, who has showed impressive touches in his pre-season performances, is poised to embark on a goal-scoring rampage.
"Twenty [goals] would not be out of the question," he said. "At worst, I would expect between 12 and 15 goals from him.
"Dwight will still be too good for this league."