He had just watched his free-flowing team put four past last season's beaten grand finalists with barely a whimper – save for a consolation goal in the last 20 minutes – to concern them.

More to the point, he had seen an impressive first home performance by Socceroo legend Tim Cahill, and proof, if any were needed, that Cahill and Bruno Fornaroli can work very effectively as an attacking tandem.

It is received wisdom that not too much should be read into a pre-season result, even in a competition like the FFA Cup, where teams are keen to progress and the games are taken seriously.

But those watching City's rout of a usually competitive Wanderers – albeit one that played with 10 men following the dismissal of skipper Nikolai Topor Stanley just before the interval – will feel as though the team is heading in the right direction as the A-League season draws near.

Van 't Schip is keen to keep the momentum going and is looking to arrange more pre-season fixtures against quality opposition before the campaign opens with an away trip to Wellington on October 8, a game in which Cahill will be absent as he is with the Socceroos for the World Cup qualifier in Jeddah the day before.

There were some who queried whether Cahill could effectively link up with Fornaroli, last season's A-League record-setting golden boot winner, arguing that the two would want to claim the same area of the pitch as the team's main striker.

But Cahill looked highly effective in a No.10 role behind the front trio against Wanderers and formed an excellent partnership with Fornaroli.

He may be at the veteran stage but Cahill has not been troubled by injuries in the latter years of his career and remains fit and focused. He has always had a good work ethic and showed his hunger for the contest in this game, chasing down, pressing, closing off opponents and challenging for tackles and, of course, the headers for which he is acclaimed.

He provided Fornaroli with the Uruguayan's first goal – and City's second – when he squared the ball for a tap in following a good move instigated by Luke Brattan's challenge and pass and Bruce Kamau's cross.

He also set up Fornaroli for a one-on-one with Wanderers goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne with a neat flick which led to the foul and sending off of Topor Stanley, Cahill stepping up to convert the spot kick.

There remains, as van 't Schip pointed out post-match, plenty of work to be done.

But the Dutchman could also be pleased with the contributions of his new Argentine duo, Nicolas Colazo and Fernando Brandan.

The former, on loan from Boca Juniors, only signed for the club on Tuesday but came off the bench in the last half hour and had an immediate impact, setting up the cross for Fornaroli's header which came back off the post to Brandan, who slotted home City's fourth goal.

Brandan is a small, skilful wide man who works hard and loves to run at defences, adding to City's array of attacking options.

Danish defender Michael Jakobsen, who scored a spectacular overhead goal to give his team an early lead, also looked comfortable on debut.

Van 't Schip was delighted by the display even if he says much work remains to be done.

"There are still a lot of things we can improve. Seven of the 11 players were new, playing for the first time in this team at AAMI Park. Two players coming in from the bench that played for the first time, it's been a good evening," he said.

"Tim is in a very good mood, he has not skipped one session, he is fit, he has to get more game time maybe, we know we have to use him in the best possible way, sometimes he plays an hour, sometimes 90 minutes.

"We were surprised when we saw that [Jakobsen's goal].  We thought it was Bruno. It was a great goal for him like that in his debut, he's only been here a week. He's really adapted himself in a quick way to the group, you can see he's an experienced player, with a  good left foot. Even more important he was organising and taking care of the defence," van 't Schip said.

"Tim and Bruno ... they can play together, that's very clear. They gave each other an assist and a goal.

"We have been working on Cahill in that deeper role, but he might play higher up the pitch, it depends on the game, the score, the circumstances, we know he can play in both positions."