ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman is confident his side can shoot down the Shots in the League Two opener.
The Reds face Conference champions Aldershot in their first home opener in the league, looking to improve on the 17th place from last season.
"I hope we hit the ground running and, if I knew we would, I would sleep well on Friday night," said the Reds boss.
"You just have to hope that the players have taken everything on board that we have tried to do and will put it into action tomorrow.
"But Aldershot will be coming to us full of confidence.
"Their team has changed a lot since we last played them in the Conference but I am just concerned that we approach the game like we should and get it right.
"I think if everything falls into place and we have that bit of luck we should have a good season.
"We haven’t got the biggest squad but have added experienced players.
"I can’t wait for it now. The last time we were at home for the first game of the season we won the league so we will have to wait and see what happens."
Coleman, who is coming up to his 10th anniversary after taking charge of the Reds in 1999, will have to watch the clash from the stand after being given a two-match ban for being sent off against Chesterfield last season.
And he has injury concerns over new signing Colin Murdock (neck) and Andy Procter (ankle) although John Mullin (ankle), who has signed a one- year deal this week, came through 80 minutes of the 3-0 defeat to an Everton XI on Wednesday night.
"John has worked hard and had bad luck with an ankle injury but I am looking forward to him playing a big part this season," said Coleman.
"Procky will train today and hopefully he will overcome his injury and Colin should be fit."
While Stanley are looking to reduce the 83 league goals conceded last season, the Reds boss is also hoping his new-look side time their scoring to perfection.
Only Ian Craney and John Miles, from the first team, have scored in pre-season for the Reds.
"We have created chances in all our games, especially Wednesday night, which is frustrating as we haven’t taken them. We have got to work the keepers more.
"Hopefully we have used up all our misses and they will go in tomorrow."
Shots striker John Grant is their star man and knows it is a tough start for his side, who return to the league after 16 years.
"I have happy memories when I have played at Accrington before and have had some positive results," he told the Shots website.
Grant continued: "However it is always a difficult place to go to. They won’t give us half an ounce on the day but I am confident that we can go there and get a positive result."
While optimism is high in the Stanley squad, the bookmakers were tipping Accrington for a relegation battle.
However, Rotherham have joined Luton with a points deduction while Bournemouth were set to learn their fate yesterday.
Luton were deducted 30 points a few weeks ago while the Millers this week learned they will start minus 17 points for being unable to satisfy the normal conditions of Football League rules for exiting administration. Bournemouth face the same charge.
"You feel for the players, the fans and the management at these clubs because that’s out of their hands," said Coleman.
"But there are strict rules in place and they have to be adhered to.
"If I was in their situation I would be licking my wounds but I am sure they will get on with it. Rotherham are a big club who I am sure are capable of overcoming a points deduction as Luton are too."
SEE this week's Observer for your free eight-page full-colour Accrington Stanley supplement, with interviews with Stanley captain Peter Cavanagh; chairman Eric Whalley, John and Paul Mullin, Bobby Grant and more... plus a competition to win Kenny Arthur's gloves and a Stanley shirt.
