St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes has declared himself quietly confident that the season ahead will prove even more successful than last year’s campaign.
At the start of the 2009-2010 campaign, Saints had just been promoted from division one and were many people’s tip to go straight back down.
However, McInnes and his players proved the pundits wrong not only securing their place in the SPL for another season but only narrowly missing out on a top-six place.
A whole host of players, including last season’s joint top scorer Kenny Deuchar, have headed out the McDiarmid Park exit over the summer.
However, McInnes believes that while he now has a smaller pool, its quality has improved.
He said, “I think we have lost nine players from the squad since last season.
“It is now lighter in terms of numbers but Sam Parkin, Cleveland Taylor and Scott Dobie will certainly add quality, as will Peter Enckelman.
“I think we have a nucleus of players here from last season who did very well and we are hoping to improve again.
“Hopefully, the ones we have brought in will help us do that.
“We have two strikers in Dobie and Parkin who have goals in them.”Aim to improveHe added, “The aim for this season is to try to improve on last year but I do not think we are arrogant enough to believe we are far better than any team down there.
“We need to strive to get the points on board to ensure we stay in this league as quickly as possible.
“That is our main aim to stay in the league but we also want to improve on where we finished last year.”
McInnes said, “We also, I feel, need to go into the campaign with the same approach we had 12 months ago.
“This time last year we were thrilled to be heading into an SPL season and there was a real expectancy about the place.
“We need that same sense of optimism a belief that we can flourish in this environment.”
McInnes then delivered his assessment on how some of the other teams outwith the Old Firm will do this season.
He said, “I think Hibs still have goalscorers in their team and they have a manager who is driven to do well for his club.
“Hearts will be better, Aberdeen have signed a few players and they will be looking for that improvement as well.
“The key for Dundee United will be if they are able to hold on to their players but obviously their confidence will be high after winning a trophy.
“So I think a few teams have strengthened but we like to think that we have strengthened as well.”