Besart Berisha takes Roar backlash personally I speak from the heart because I love this club ... it's like family' says Brisbane's Besart Berisha. Picture: Quinn Stuart Source: News Limited That's the message from colourful Brisbane Roar striker Besart Berisha to critics of the A-League premier. Berisha yesterday broke his silence to launch what he describes as a "from the heart" defence of new coach Mike Mulvey, club management and his teammates in the face of stinging criticism of the Queensland side's season of controversy, disappointment and discontent. After months of refusing to talk to the media following a self-imposed ban, Berisha took it upon himself to contact The Australian to assure Brisbane fans he and the players were fully behind Mulvey and that the hunger to make it a hat-trick of championships still burned within him and the rest of the team. "I speak from the heart because I love this club ... it is part of my family," Berisha said soon after completing training yesterday. The last few months have been very hard for everyone. I haven't spoken to the media for months because I have wanted to focus on football. But when my family is hurt then it is important I speak to let everyone know there is still a strong belief in the team, the club, the coaching staff. We are all behind Mike and we are going to fight to the last second of the season. Roar, sitting in seventh spot and two points out of the top six, has come under enormous pressure after a season that has lurched from one controversy to another. It started when coach Rado Vidosic, who had replaced dual championship-winning Ange Postecoglou at the start of season, was moved sideways in December and replaced by Mulvey. The club then lost influential midfielder Erik Paartalu to China last month, much to the anger of supporters. The situation was compounded when Brisbane, the only club to win back-to-back A-League championships, had a shock loss to Thai outfit Buriram United in an Asian Champions League qualifier last week, intensifying the pressure on Mulvey. However, after being initially appointed as interim coach, it was announced on arrival from Thailand that he had been handed the full-time reins for the next two seasons, sparking a fan protest during Brisbane's 2-0 win over Wellington Phoenix at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday. The fans unfurled a sign "Mulvey out" but it was quickly taken down after Brisbane officials ordered security to act. It was the last straw for Berisha, who felt compelled to act and declare the club is going in the right direction. "All what's happened has hurt me personally," he said. I never understand people with this (bad) opinion about the club ... they have never been in the club, they don't know this club, they don't know the people here. I am so happy to be at Brisbane. It is family and I have never felt like this at any of the other clubs I've been at around the world. It is doing everything to make the team happy, to take care of the players. The coaching staff and the office staff work very hard. It is a very professional club. (Roar general manager) Sean (Dobson) is a good man. He is doing so much. The Albanian international, who won the Golden Boot last season for being the A-League's leading scorer as well as a string of player awards in his debut season in Australia, is adamant Brisbane has made the right decision appointing Englishman Mulvey. "It is the right call," Berisha said. All the boys believe in Mike and respect him ... they see how hard he is working for the players and the club. We are all sticking together, doing things for each other. We can now focus on the rest of the season and move on. The 27-year-old is just as confident Roar can make it a hat-trick of titles. "Yes, of course we can do it," Berisha said. The belief is still very strong. We are only thinking of getting into the top six. But after that, anything is possible. You know Brisbane Roar. You know we have the players who can handle the pressure of the finals. Mike has done well to bring in some fresh air with Steve (Lustica) and Stef (Nijland) as well. Of his own form, Berisha, who has scored 11 goals this season, is happy and wants to be at his best so he "can help Brisbane in its time of need." "Maybe I haven't had as many chances as last season, but I have been there (on the spot) when needed," he said. I am working very hard at training and in games because I want to give so much more to the team, to the club. I believe so much we can do it again this season, but we need everyone to be behind us, especially our great fans.