Boss ready for the start of the new season...
WE'RE really looking forward to Saturday now. We've got what we wanted out of pre-season and we're just ready to get the season underway.It's a busy period to start, one where we have to be fully prepared, hence the number of games that we have faced during the pre-season. The players have got better and better as the games have gone on and I have been pleased with our last three performances.
I'm confortable with where we're at in terms of the squad. There are one or two things still bubbling in the background, but we have decided not to offer a deal to Danny Webber.
In terms of goalscoring, I feel that this will be less of a problem this year. Tom Bradshaw has been getting better with each game, whilst Ashley Grimes will also get goals, as will the likes of Romaine Sawyers and James Baxendale.
Defensively too with have options and there are players in there who are more than capable of stepping up to the plate.
A good start is important to set us up for the season and to give the players the confidence in what we are doing. We started last season well and hopefully we can do that again this time around.
It's something of a local derby and we will have a large and vocal following behind us, so it's an encounter that we are looking forward to. We know what to expect from Port Vale and by the same token, they will have an idea about us.
They did the double over us in League games last season, so we will be keen to make amends for that.
We look forward to receiving your valued support throughout the campaign ahead...
DEAN SMITH