Geared up for a crack at League Two!
Following today's release of the fixtures for the 2016-17 League Two season, we spoke to Gaffer Gary Johnson to gauge his reaction.
His side were crowned Champions of the National League in April after a long hard season but the challenges don't stop there, " Next season our first four games are against teams who have made the most signing over the summer! Leyton Orient and Doncaster are two of the richest teams in the division so it won't be easy."
The other two matches Johnson is referring to are Mansfield Town & Carslisle United, both away, with the Carlisle trip falling on a Tuesday night!
However the Gaffer was pleased that the season's curtain raiser, against Leyton Orient, will be played at Whaddon Road, "It's always nice to get a home game to start with, especially with the prospect of three away games to follow if we get drawn away in the EFL Cup. Carlisle away on a Tuesday is never ideal for the supporters thought!"
There is a very different atmosphere around the club in comparison to 12 months ago that Gary has noticed, "It's nice to see this year's list of clubs we'll be coming up against in comparison to last year, all due respect to the National League teams.
We've got  to believe we can compete at this level in the same way we competed last year. I really believe we can push for promotion out of this league despite teams being around that are giving it a right go such as Doncaster, Orient, Luton & Portsmouth."
On a personal note there are a couple of fixtures  that stand out, " Obviously it's always nice to go back to clubs you've had success at so I am looking forward to the away games at Yeovil and Cambridge the most. And then we they have saved the best match until last, Portsmouth away. It's definitely going to be an exciting year!"
As with last year, Johnson has already told his players the same sort of targets to be aiming at, "I always look at group of 10 games, these first ten will show you pretty accurately how things are going to pan out so they will be absolutely vital and as always, we will need the fans' support!"