Last year the play-off championship left us all wanting more, and by more that means the league title.

We have been back together as a team now for almost three weeks. In football terms that isn't a pre season, but in hockey terms it's a huge amount of time and we thank the club for trying their best to ensure we are as well prepared as possible.

We have had five pre-season games. We lost the first two to a very good German side who had been together for several weeks, it was perfect for us though, just what we needed, a real hard work-out.

Then two games against Hull, we just had too much for them, that extra week we had together paid off, we were fitter and sharper and won both games comfortably.

On Wednesday we went to Coventry for the Charity Shield. We lost 5-4 after over time, but are disappointed as we started the game slowly and let them get 3-0 up on us. If we are to win the league we can't allow that to happen once the real season starts.

The boys know the importance of a good start to the league, in the last few years Coventry have got off to a flyer and everyone else was playing catch up. This year we can't allow them to do that, we must be the ones teams are chasing.

I have to say how well the new guys have fitted in, it must be hard for them, the majority of last year's team has come back, we all know each other so well and get on great together.

"I think we have done our best to make them feel at home.

Young Rob Dowd has impressed me.

He has some talent, that's for sure, he has just slotted into a position on one of the three lines like he has played there all of his life. If he can hit 12-15 goals that could make a huge difference to our year.

I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to the next eight months. I look around the room and see a group of guys as focused and as determined as I am, we have a real chance this year. If we can just stay healthy and get off to that good start then this could be our time.



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