Mark Yates believes his players are ready for the challenge of League Two and cannot wait for the league opener.
Mark Yates speaking to the media ahead of the weekend's league opener at home to Burton Albion (3pm):
"Pre-season has gone as well as it could have done. I don't look at results but obviously if we had lost all the games then that would have been a worrying trend but we've seen some good stuff, somethings we need to work on and now we can't wait for the first game. Hopefully we'll put in a good performance and start on the right note.
"I'm settled on what I want to do this season. We want to play football, win games and be as successful as we can be. We have players who can adapt and play different formations so we will try and get the ball down and play. We won't be quite like Barcelona but we will play some decent football.
"We have to believe that we can get over the line and ultimately that is what we have tried to recruit better players for and I'm pleased with the progress we have made. We have made some decent acquisitions and hopefully they can come good.
"Ryan is a bit of a man mountain and he is highly thought of. He has been on our radar for 6 months now so we are delighted to have signed him.
"Burton Albion are a good side and they, like us, were in the play-offs last season. They were probably a surprise package last year but they maintained it and had a chance of automatics like ourselves. I saw them last week and they are a good side and have made some good signings. They'll be strong, organised and exciting to watch at times so we'll be on our guard.
"I'm certainly a better manager now than what I was when I first arrived 3 and a half years ago. I still have loads to learn and that's what I tell the boys because if we can improve each day then we have a chance.
"I know what my targets are and the players do too but we'll keep that to ourselves. Right now there are 24 managers sitting down and doing these interviews and asking why not us? I'm no different because I'm ambitious and I want us to do well this season and I do believe we have the capabilities."