MANAGER Dave Challinor feels his squad is well prepared for the new season in Vanerama National League North.

The Coasters boss was watching with interest as a trip to Solihull Moors was announced as the league opener on August 8^th.

He said: “It’s always an exciting day when the fixtures come out and although it doesn’t effect when the season starts, it seems to bring that day on August 8th a whole lot closer.

“Even before the fixtures are released, you have a good idea who you might play on the Boxing Day, New Year double header and the Bank Holidays as they are usually the local teams but again to get confirmation provides clarity and allows us to prepare.

“In terms of preparation, work begins regarding scouting and which games I need to either get to myself or get other people to provide match reports. There are no easy fixtures in this league and you only need to look at the seven games we play in the first 23 days of the season as an indication of how difficult this league will be this year.”

The Midlands team are a much changed outfit from last season following the sale of top scorer Omar Bogle to Grimsby Town, but they have made a lot of big signings over the summer and will no doubt be up there with the top contenders this season.

Challinor added: “Solihull Moors away on the opening day will be a tough start but I’m sure they’re thinking the same about us. One thing we do know is that although they’ll be much changed from last season, they’ll try and play and the surface there will be immaculate which will provide us with the opportunity to do the same.

“Our friendlies begin in less than a week’s time and towards the end of those, we’ll begin to focus on game plans for that Solihull match.”