FC Halifax Town's players have only been together for a couple of weeks, but boss Jim Vince is determined that they will be competitive when they play their first ever game at Blue Square North Tamworth tomorrow (3.0).
The squad has had just five training sessions - and some players have had fewer than that - ahead of the trip to the Lamb Ground.
But Vince believes that they are ready for a 'blow out' against a side that has already played a couple of 90-minute matches.
"It will be a tough game," said Vince. "They will have a strong side out - but so will we.
"Some of the lads will only have had a couple of training sessions with us.
"But one thing is sure, we will give a good account of ourselves."
The new club has just 12 contracted players at the moment, with the promise of more to come.
And Vince has already said that he would add to the squad as pre-season progresses.
But he understands that the supporters, who feared for the future of football in the town during a close season of uncertainty, are looking forward to seeing the team in action.
"I know supporters will travel down because they are interested in the team and they want to see the manager's tactics," he said.
"I want the team to play good, fast football - that is the minimum requirement."
The main objective tomorrow, however, will be to give the players some game time.
"Playing our first game will increase the anticipation," said Vince. "But no one should worry about the side tomorrow whatever happens.
"The time it matters is at the start of the season.
"Tomorrow's game is a good opportunity to give the majority of players 45 minutes under their belts and an opportunity to look at some trialists.
"The side that starts tomorrow's game won't be the side that starts the season."
Halifax have confirmed a couple more signings, taking the total of players either under contract or on non contract forms to 12.
Ben Jones has joined the new club from Unibond League first division rivals Harrogate Railway with keeper Craig Ellison also coming on board.
Jones was a junior at Sheffield United and has also played for Eccleshill United, Farsley Celtic, Gainsborough Trinity, Aberystwyth Town and Leigh RMI
Ellison is a former Crewe Alexandra under 18s keeper who has had spells at Altrincham, Nantwich and Witton.
Both players are likely to feature against Tamworth.
- Mark Hughes expressed his delight at a confident European victory in his first game in charge of Manchester City.
First-half goals from Martin Petrov and Dietmar Hamann gave City a comfortable 2-0 win over EB Streymur in the Faroe Islands in their UEFA Cup first round first leg match.
Hughes said: "The fitness levels were at different stages, they are halfway through their domestic season. So you are not quite sure what you are going to come up against.
"But I was pleased with the performance. Particularly in the first half when we kept possession well - we shifted it well and accurately and great purpose."
The full article contains 534 words and appears in Evening Courier newspaper.