CAPTAIN

SPEAKING

Welcome back to all supporters for today's opening game of the season. It feels a long time coming and, after a successful and enjoyable pre-season, we are all raring to go this afternoon.

First and foremost it will be nice to get into the swing of a competitive game for the first time since May. As players we strive on the pressure and there's nothing better than kicking off a new season in front of your home supporters.

We face Altrincham, a team who we found tough to break down in a 0-0 draw here at Kenilworth Road in April, and we aren't expecting anything different today.

It represents a difficult challenge and one we are likely to face every week, wherever we go. That comes with the territory being the team in the division that everyone wants to beat.

We found it hard at certain points last season but gradually, as the campaign wore on, we got to grips with what is required to win football matches at this level and soon results began to show for themselves.

However, we mustn't take things for granted this season, and a good start is imperative. Last season we didn't get off to the best of starts but went on to produce a fantastic level of performance in the second half of the campaign.

What we need to do is to replicate that form for the whole of the campaign and, with the squad that the manager has assembled, there's no reason why that cannot be the case this time round.

Attacking-wise we have a lot of options, in fact there is competition for places in almost every position. We feel that if we can keep it tight at the back then we have the quality in the final third of the pitch to really hurt teams.

Like at all levels of football scoring the first goal is important and, obviously, the earlier the better. It is vital that we hit the ground running this season starting with Altrincham this afternoon and having completed pre-season all the players are confident of doing so.

We are feeling very comfortable playing as a team having played a number of friendlies but now it's up to us to put it into practise in the real world.

As I mentioned earlier, though, it will not be easy and, having seen the quality of the teams coming into the league following promotion and relegation, I can honestly say that the division has never been so strong.

We know it will be tough, but, with your support, we know the potential of what we can achieve and how wonderful it could be if it is.

As players we all appreciate your support and home and away and we know there aren't a better set of supporters than you.

You are probably as excited as we are as players and quite rightly so.

Everything is now set so sit back, enjoy the game and get behind the lads.

Pilks