TIM Flowers doesn't pull any punches when talking about what Harriers' players can expect this season, writes Chris Oldnall.

He's predicting the Aggborough troops will have to “take a few on the chin” and go through “muck and bullets” if they want to maintain the club's reputation as one of the country's leading non-league outfits.

But, although he accepts Harriers face a challenging campaign, there's one thing the former England goalkeeper is certain about – their will to win is stronger than ever.

“We've got to be positive,” said the determined Aggborough coach during a break in preparations for Saturday's tough home National League curtain-raiser against Grimsby Town.

He added: “I've heard a lot about 'can we avoid relegation' and I'm not one for setting targets. I think we've got to be the best we can be, but what I will say is that under our roof we've got a group of decent players.

"Make no mistake there are some very good players at this club and I don't see why we shouldn't be going out and being competitive.”

Flowers' down-to-earth assessment of Harriers' chances this season come during a time when the club are going flat out to regain vital stability following a disheartening spell of crippling financial problems.

He said: “It's well documented what's happened here, but there's now a new broom in and the ship is going to be run very tightly financially.

"We're aware of that within the building and I think the supporters are aware of it as well, so there's no secrets.

"I think supporters will take to a team that are always going out and giving 100 per cent for the shirt and putting their heart and soul into it. They'll realise that and they'll get behind them.”

Flowers' heartfelt rallying call to supporters is part of Harriers' refreshing bid to get concerned fans back on board following last season's severe money worries which led to a number of the club's best players exiting Aggborough.

He said: “I know supporters enjoy seeing the ball played around a little bit if we can. It's not always easy, but that's what we've worked at so far.

“There'll be games where it'll be muck and bullets on a Tuesday night in a howling gale where it just isn't possible to play attractive football. You'll see that in the Premier League as well as the National League, but we're looking to play through the thirds a little bit more.”

It's a welcome approach that Flowers hopes will surprise clubs who are far better placed financially to make an impression this season.

“I know there are one million pound budgets in this league and you're going to get a good quality of player.

"But there are different ways of winning football matches and we've got to find one. We've got to keep what we've got fit the best way we can.

"We've got to be right on the button in terms of the way we look after our players and keep them on the field.

“My cup is usually half full not half empty, so I'm looking at it positively and I think we can cause people problems.

"We're going to have to dig in and there's no doubt that we might have to take a few on the chin on a Saturday and then get up and start throwing punches on a Tuesday.”

And that's where Flowers believes the management team will play a major role.

He added: “We're going to have to be bright, breezy, upbeat and make sure the lads are in good spirits, well organised and fit. I have no doubt we can cause one or two surprises.”