NPL Division One East
Pontefract Collieries want to be a surprise package according to Craig Rouse.
The Colls host Grimsby Borough for the season opener and Rouse hopes for a positive campaign.
“I don’t mind if we go under the radar and no-one fancies us to do anything,” Rouse told Non League Yorkshire.
“We’re bothered about what we believe in the changing room and predictions from the outside mean nothing.
“When the first ball is kicked on Saturday you found out where you’re at.
“They’ll be tough games going away to places and when pitches are tough and you have to win individual battles.
“We’re quietly confident we’ll have a better season than last season and hopefully that’ll come to fruition.”
Rouse was confident this time last year of a positive start but things unravelled pretty quickly due to a poor start.
Now in 2022, the Colls boss explained why he believes his squad are in a stronger position.
“It is chalk and cheese and we’re a different side,” he said.
“We had some good footballers and I don’t want to do any discredit to anyone who was here in that team.
“Sometimes having neat and tidy footballers at this level doesn’t always win you matches.
“We’re a lot more experienced.
“You can see that in the signings.
“James Baxendale, Gav Allott, Harry Spratt, Jake Picton and Adam Priestley – five really experienced players and there’s no doubt they improve us.
“We’ll get better as time goes on and we’ll get fitter and fitter and the biggest thing for us is we get out the blocks and have a positive start.”