Byline: DAVE JONES
ALTHOUGH Bangor City will be ranked among the favourites to win the Corbett Sports Welsh Premier League crown this season manager Neville Powell has a far more down-to-earth ambition - initially at least.
Powell led City to the title in 2010/11 and runners-up spot last term, but his aim for the campaign ahead is the same as it has been for the last two years since the league was reduced to 12 clubs and splits into two groups of six - the Championship Conference and the Play-Off Conference - in January.
'Every season I look no further than aiming to be in the top six come the split,' said the City chief.
'You can't take anything for granted.
'A lot of clubs have strengthened in the summer and there are 12 excellent sides in the league.
'Every team goes out with the hope of winning the league or finishing second, but our first target is that top six.'
Last season the Citizens were beaten in a final-day title decider against The New Saints and Powell believes the Oswestry full-timers will be the main force again.
'TNS are massive favourites to win the league,' he insisted. 'They're full-time, their artificial pitch gives them an added advantage and they are sure to be the team the others have to beat.
'I expect Llanelli to be up there, Bala will be strong again and the likes of Airbus, Carmarthen and Aberystwyth have strengthened so I think it will be an interesting battle to get into the top six.
'One thing's for sure - anyone who finishes above TNS or Llanelli will have had a great season.'
Powell is delighted at the way Bangor's pre-season is progressing, the highlight being the narrow 2-1 defeat over two legs against Zimbru Chisinau in the Europa League.
The Moldovans narrowly went out in the second qualifying round to highly-rated Young Boys of Switzerland on July 28.
'Zimbru only going out on penalties to Young Boys puts our performances against them into perspective,' stressed the City boss.
'We've had a fantastic pre-season; the confidence is high and the competition for places is fierce. It's important we hit the ground running and if we can get a good start it will augur well for the rest of the season.
'The last two seasons have been tremendous. Last season we took the title race to the last day; we split the two-full time clubs and in any other league in the world that wouldn't happen.
'We also had the upheaval of moving grounds at Christmas, yet we still managed to finish second, win a fifth trophy in five seasons and qualify for Europe again - it's been fairytale stuff.
'We've got the added pressure these days of everyone wanting to take our scalp because we are Bangor City, but if we are 100% focused and treat every game like a cup final there is no reason why we can't move on to the next level.'
Powell City have boosted their ranks in the summer with the capture of striker Chris Simm and defender Liam Brownhill from Chester, while midfielder Jamie Crowther has added to the competition in the centre of the park.
And another piece of good news for Bangor is key defender Michael Johnston putting pen to paper on a new two-year deal which will keep him at Nantporth until the end of 2013/14.
'It's important we keep our best players and few have been as consistent or impressive as Johnno over the past few seasons,' added Powell. 'We're also in negotiations to tie one or two other players to longer-term deals.'
MAJOR INS: Chris Simm, Liam Brownhill, Jamie Crowther, John Owen (back from loan) MAJOR OUTS: Kyle Wilson, Neil Thomas, Eddie Jebb.
STAR MAN: Sion Edwards DAVE JONES PREDICTS: Top two AIRBUS UK THERE has been a lot of interest in the summer transfer goings-on at The Airfield.
Airbus manager Andy Preece has brought in a whole host of new players, many from his former club Northwich Victoria, and has released a number of last season's squad. Preece has a definite target in mind for this season.
'The main aim will be to get into the top six,' he said. 'The club's never done it before and to do so will be a massive achievement. It's going to be hard to break into the top four, although we'll do our best.
'It's difficult to look beyond TNS, Bangor City, Llanelli and Bala, but unlike other seasons where it might have been easy to predict the top six, I don't think that will be the case this season.
'I think it's going to be a lot tighter all the way through, with up to six clubs fighting for the fifth and sixth positions. With their resources Newtown and Afan Lido may find it difficult, but you can't count them out either. I think the top four might be the same as last year, but hopefully the leading teams will take more points off each other and make the league more competitive.'
As for his own squad, Preece added: 'The lads are looking fit in training and taking on board the things we are asking them to improve on. We've got a couple of injuries which might hamper us a bit early on, but we should be okay.' MAIN INS: Jack Lewis, Toby Jones, Sam Hart, Ian Kearney, Tom Field, Mike Roddy, Kyle Armstrong, Ryan Wade, Jordan Johnson, Chris Budrys, Ben Chapman. MAIN OUTS: Eddie Hope, Neville Thompson, Adam Worton, Gavin Cadwallader, Andy Mulliner (retired) STAR MAN: Chris Budrys PREDICTION: Top six BALA TOWN BALA Town manager Colin Caton would be delighted if his team could emulate last season's achievement where they came within 90 minutes of a first-ever appearance in Europe.
The Lakesiders celebrated their highest Welsh Premier finish of fifth and ended up unfortunate losers to Llanelli in the Europa League play-off.
'It would be nice if we could at least equal that achievement and I think if we can steer clear of injuries we can kick on, but the way a lot clubs have been strengthening I think it could end up the most competitive season the Welsh Premier has seen,' predicted Caton.
'We've signed striker Lewis Codling but he's suffered a bad cut to his foot while on holiday and Mark Jones (Welsh Premier Player of the Season) has had a knee operation. Both are 50-50 to be ready for the start of the season so we're keeping our fingers crossed.
'We've also brought in Ashley Morris who in my opinion has been the most consistent keeper in the Welsh Premier over the past few seasons and I've also promoted Ryan Jones from the academy. He's a really good 16-year-old prospect with bags of confidence and ability who scored 58 goals for Ruthin Under-16s last season.
'Financially we won't be able to compete with some clubs this year. Our budget is the same but we're not willing to pay the wages some players are asking. We've got a solid business structure at Bala which has been instrumental in our success.'
MAIN INS: Ashley Morris, Lewis Codling, Ryan Jones, Tony Davies MAIN OUTS: Chris Mason, Rhys Darlington, Danny Williams, Peter Doran STAR MAN: Ashley Morris PREDICTION: Top six GAP C.QUAY CONNAH'S Quay player-manager Mark McGregor has his feet firmly on the ground as he leads his team back into the Welsh Premier after two seasons' absence.
Survival will be the first priority for the ex-Wrexham player in what he predicts will be a very strong league.
'Finishing 10th will be the first target and anything above that will represent a really good season for the lads,' said McGregor.
'If you ask any promoted team, the first priority is staying in the league.'
McGregor tips TNS to retain the title they clinched on the final day of last season, by beating their main challengers Bangor City.
'They are the strongest candidates, but I expect Bala to do well and lots of teams have done plenty of business in the transfer market over the summer; like Airbus and Carmarthen.
'I think it will be the hardest Welsh Premier yet to be involved with in terms of strength.
'I don't think you'll get just one or two teams in contention for sixth place - as many as six clubs could be going for it.'
McGregor has brought in striker Dean Canning and midfielder Chris Rowntree during the summer and also pledged to give youth its chance.
'I've got three or four lads from the Academy/Under-19s knocking on the first team door,' he revealed.
'I should have a squad of about 20 with enough quality to ensure we hold our own.'
Quay begin the campaign with a testing visit to Bangor on August 17.
MAJOR INS: Dean Canning, Chris Rowntree MAJOR OUTS: James McIntosh STAR MAN: Gary O'Toole DAVE JONES PREDICTS: Safe from relegation PRESTATYN DESPITE facing a potential struggle to match their top-six finish of the past two seasons as they compete against a number of more affluent clubs, Prestatyn Town player-manager Neil Gibson is up for the challenge.
Andy lottery Green Vince Luton Gibson has made a couple of impressive pre-season signings in experienced campaigners like former Tranmere man Andy Parkinson and Greg Stones, and is eyeing up a couple more high quality recruits before the big kick-off.
'Pre-season has been going really well,' said the Town chief.
'The lads are looking sharp and fit and we've been scoring a few goals which is always a bonus.
'I'll assess what squad I've got at the start of the season before setting any targets, but I'd like to think we can emulate or improve on last season.
'A lot of clubs with more resources than us have been strengthening, but I'm not just going to sit back and accept that - I'm up for taking on the challenge.
'As well as bringing in players of the calibre of Andy and Greg, I'm very pleased with the progress of some of the younger players in the squad and will look to the likes of Rhys Owen and Guto Hughes to kick on this season.'
Prestatyn Town are about to embark on their fifth successive season in the top flight.
They begin the campaign at home to Afan Lido on Saturday, August 18 and will be seeking their first win in 15 league starts having not recorded a Welsh Premier League victory since last November.
MAJOR INS: Andy Parkinson, Greg Stones MAJOR OUTS: Steve Rogers, Dave Roberts STAR MAN: Ross Stephens PREDICTIONS Play-offs Nev Powell
CAPTION(S):
Airbus boss Andy Preece Bala manager Colin Caton Quay boss Mark McGregor Prestatyn's Neil Gibson Bangor City's players lifet the League Cup... but the title is the dream
