Home United, runners-up in the S.League last season, are looking to go one better in the new campaign and have set their sights on winning this year's title.

The Protectors were narrowly pipped to the title by Tampines Rovers last season, although they did not finish the season empty handed, winning the Singapore Cup by beating Albirex Niigata 1-0 in the final.

However, there is no doubt as to which competition will be Home's priority this year, as team manager S. Mahalingam revealed on Wednesday at the club's season launch.

"Our aim is to go one better this season," Mahalingam said. "Our target this season is to be S.League champions."

And Home have given their rivals a clear show of their intent with their pre-season dealings, bringing in Shotaro Ihata, John Wilkinson and Franklin Azite to bolster the squad.

Ihata bagged 24 goals for Albirex last season, Wilkinson is a former Singapore international returning from a stint in Thailand, while Anzite was been brought in from Etoile FC to replace the departed Valery Hiek, and Mahalingam believes all three will play key roles in the coming campaign.

"Fans can look forward to an exciting new team this season," Mahalingam added.

"To augment our firepower, HUFC have signed Shotaro Ihata, who was Albirex Niigata's top scorer with 24 goals last season. He will partner [Frederic] Mendy and Qiu Li up front.

"For our midfield engine, HUFC have signed ex-Singapore international John Wilkinson, who will complement captain Shi Jiayi.

"To replace Valery Hiek in defence, Franklin Anzite, previously from Etoile has been brought in."

Home have not had the best of starts in their pre-season campaign, losing two and drawing one of their three friendlies in Vietnam, although they did manage to defeat S.League rivals Courts Young Lions 4-3.

However, coach Lee Lim-saeng remained upbeat over his side's prospects, and insisted it was only a matter of time before his old players gelled together with the new signings.

"I don't want to players to be disappointed [with our performances so far]," Lee said.

"Of course we have weaknesses at this point, but we will try to work harder.

"I hope we are not overconfident with ourselves, as everyone has weaknesses."

Chairman Koh Siong Ling also echoed his coach's sentiments, and believed Home would be able to eradicate their errors by the time the season starts.

"We will take time to gel," Koh said. "That is one of the reasons why we haven't done so well in pre-season.

"The key area highlighted by the coach is our defence. But the coach himself was a world-class defender, so I have no worries he will get the job done."

The Home coach himself identified defending champions Tampines Rovers and perennial challengers SAFFC as the biggest threats to Home success this season, although he was less certain about the impact league new boys Brunei DPMM FC and Harimau Muda could make.

"[Our biggest threats] are Tampines and SAFFC," Lee added. "Albirex have also shown good signs.

"I don't have much information [about DPMM and Harimau Muda], but I've heard they're not bad."

Home take on Tampines in the Great Eastern Charity Shield on Sunday, before opening their league campaign against Balestier Khalsa.