After the upheaval of an offseason transfer to Kawasaki Frontale, Koji Yamase is happy to see his new team occupy familiar ground near the top of the J. League table.

Kawasaki has recovered from an indifferent start to go into Saturday's game against Kashima Antlers just two points behind first-place Kashiwa Reysol, rekindling hopes that this could be the year the Kanagawa side finally claims the title after finishing in the top five for each of the last five seasons.

But such consistency masks the changes that have taken place at Todoroki Stadium over the past six months. Former player Naoki Soma took over from manager Tsutomu Takahata after a disappointing 2010 season that saw the departure of key players Eiji Kawashima and Chong Tese, and ther were further comings and goings over the winter as the club began to lay the groundwork for a new era.