Wrexham AFC manager Phil Parkinson is keen to build on the excitement around the Club as he prepares for his first Vanarama National League game in the dug-out.
On the pitch, Wrexham have geared up for the start of the season with three wins and a draw from five pre-season matches, while off it there have been queues at the Racecourse Ground for shirts and season tickets.
And after supporters snapped up away tickets for the re-arranged fixture at Solihull on the opening day, Parkinson wants to ensure the good feeling continues into the league campaign.
“I’m feeling good,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed the week’s training, it’s been decent. We’ve had good backing throughout pre-season and we’re looking forward to that continuing at the weekend.
“There’s been a really good vibe around the ground when supporters have queued for season tickets, and to buy the shirts, and now the speed they’ve bought tickets for the weekend’s game.
“The lads have enjoyed playing in front of the supporters, starting with the Tamworth game which was a nice taster of it and then obviously the home game at the weekend.
“I think it’s good for the supporters to get to see the players, but equally for the players to get used to being in front of the supporters again because it has got a different feel to it.”
Parkinson admits the Wrexham squad is not quite complete, but after a summer which has included the arrival of Paul Mullin, Aaron Hayden, Jake Hyde, Liam McAlinden, David Jones, Shaun Brisley and Harry Lennon, he is happy with the progress made so far.
However, he admitted injuries to the latter two could force a reshuffle for the trip to the SportNation.bet Stadium.
He added: “The squad – as you know we have a couple of injuries defensively, which are obviously costly, but the squad is piecing together nicely and I don’t think we’re far off – we’ve still got a few more players we’d like to bring in.
“I think that’s crucial – we’re not the finished article yet, but we’re getting there.
“Shaun Brisley saw a specialist on Tuesday and it’s not as bad as we first feared but it’s still going to be a few weeks.
“Harry Lennon is progressing well and he’s done some training this week, but as we’ve spoken about after the game on Saturday it’s could also be a case of different players in those positions, knowing that when those two players come back we will be strong.”
Parkinson and his backroom team paid close attention to Solihull’s final pre-season friendly against Notts County last weekend, but the manager insists he is wary of reading too much into it.
Instead, the team will travel to Solihull with an open mind as to what to expect from the hosts.
“We obviously saw them play against Notts County, as they were at our game against Curzon, but we have to be careful of judging that game too much because there’s obviously other players to come into the team,” Parkinson explained.
“I have huge respect for Neal Ardley and his team, and as always we will look at the strengths and weaknesses but it’s not as nailed on as it normally would be, because there could still be a surprise factor when we get there and the team sheet comes in.”
The match against Solihull takes place on Saturday August 21 and kicks off at 3pm. You can read our full match preview here, and our away day guide here.