QUIETLY confident. I think that's the best way we can sum up our feelings here at Kidderminster Harriers as we head towards our second season in the Nationwide League Third Division.

Obviously, confidence and optimism is sky high but, believe me, we all know what a tough campaign lies ahead of us.

This time last year our optimism was based on the fact that we had won the Nationwide Conference and everybody assumed we were going to do well in the Third Division.

Now, of course, we've had 12 months experience in the Football League and we know full well how difficult it is. We know there are a lot of good teams in the Third Division.

We are well aware that it's going to be tough, but I must say we are quite pleased with the squad we've got.

I think there's a good balance to it, but obviously you don't quite know how things are going to work out until we start.

You do feel, though, that certainly some of the new players will make a difference to us, people like Sam Shilton, Danny Williams and Mark Blake.

I must say that all the players have done well in our 'warm-up' matches, but obviously you can't put too much emphasis on pre-season games.

They have certainly shown what they are capable of, but obviously consistency is the key. The better our consistency will be obviously the better we will do. But, as I say, we are going into it quietly confident that we'll have a decent season. We'd like to improve on the 16th place we achieved last season and I firmly believe we will do that.

How far things will take us I'm not quite sure yet, but I guess after five or six games we'll be a lot wiser.

A lot of the players who might not make the starting 11 on Saturday have impressed me and the youngsters have shown a great appetite for work. They have undoubtedly improved in the short spell they have been with us.

But what I like about our team so far is what Blake and Williams are going to give us in the middle. They are competitive, they have got strength and a good knowledge of the game. They have both played at a higher level and I think they are going to be very important to us.

A number of people have asked me who are going to be the hardest teams to beat in the Third Division this season.

Last term we found that the four relegated sides - Cardiff, Blackpool, Scunthorpe and Chesterfield - were very strong. Three of them, of course, went straight back up. The only one to miss out was Scunthorpe.

So you would have to look at the sides relegated from Division Two last season and, to be honest, it wouldn't surprise me one bit if Bristol Rovers, Oxford United and Luton finish up first, second and third.

I have to admit, though, that there are still some strong teams left from last season, like Hull City, Leyton Orient, Hartlepool and I also think Rochdale will be very powerful. So I believe you have got to look at those, plus Scunthorpe who won't be far away.

From out own point of view, though, we have got more numbers this season and obviously they can't all play, which they realise.

But a lot of them are on a learning curve and hopefully in 12 months or even two years they will be ready to play regularly in the first team. So we have got a conveyor belt of young players coming through which I always think is beneficial to you.

But all our players realise it's going to be a long, hard season - and tough. They are all look- ing forward to it, though.

We can't make any predictions or promises, but we are all as ready as we can be for the battles ahead.