WE have put together a side that has the talent to reach the British Basketball League play-offs.

The only thing is we have to go out and produce the goods on the court and it may take a little time for everything to come together this season.

As you probably know we have lost Anthony Paez this year but I didn’t want us to become over reliant on just one player.

Of course, we will miss all his points and his play, but what I wanted to do this season is have players spending less time on the court and spreading the workload through the squad.

There was another issue in trying to keep hold of An-thony and that was money. He is a quality player and deserves all the money that he can get, but unfortunately for us he was just too expensive for our budget.

We have managed to secure the return of Harry Disy and brought in the likes of Kenny Saunders and Randy George who I think the supporters will enjoy watching this campaign.

Then, of course, there is Skouson Harker and the two Lithuanian players who will provide some excitement out on the court.

What I’m trying to achieve this season is consistency. It may not be the most exciting basketball to watch, but if we can get the consistency that I am striving for then we can have a good year.

The players are of the right calibre to reach the play-offs as I have said before and it would also be nice to get a run in the BBL Trophy this season too.

The team I think everyone will have to look out for in the league this year are Newcastle. They have a side that know how to win week in, week out.

Everton haven’t shown us much yet, but they are another good side, but everyone will be trying to match Newcastle.

This is my first foray into professional coaching and I have to say that I’m really enjoying it. It is a 24-hour, seven day a week job, but that is what I expected.

When I finished playing I knew that was it, but I’m enjoying this role and after the pre-season games I have to say I’m optimistic.

Everyone has their stren-gthens in the side and there are weaknesses, I just have to make sure I work with the players strengths and try and eradicate their weaknesses.

There is also a little apprehension on my part about the new season but that is something that is keeping me mo-tivated.

We head to MK Lions tomorrow night for our first game of the season and I think they will be a different side to what people have come to expect.

They are a very experienced side who use their power and produce a very physical game, but this year they have added some youngsters to their squad that will give their game something completely different.

It is not long now until Friday night and I can’t wait to get the season going.