htafc.com caught up with Town boss Stan Ternent ahead of this weekend's League One opener against newly-promoted Stockport County at the Galpharm Stadium and he admitted - it's Showtime!

The Gaffer is gearing his squad up for their first game of the new season, but he explained that he would like one more available player for the game - Trialist Dave Unsworth.

"I want to try and sign David, but I'm in the middle of negotiations at the moment so I don't want to say too much," Stan explained. "I only have a certain amount of money to go around but it will soon be finalised one way or another.

"You can't just keep opening the chequebook. I run my own budget with help from Dean Hoyle, Andrew Watson and the Board and I try to work within those confines. If I need a little more I'll ask and they've been excellent so far."

"I'm reasonably happy at the moment. I still need another three or four players to strengthen the squad because of the ambition of the Club and I have a few 'irons in the fire' currently although they won't happen before the weekend, other than hopefully David.

"I'm looking for a balanced team with some youth and some experience. It's a tough league and it's a long season, but most of all I want competition for places within the financial framework of the Club. When I get that, I'll keep trying to better the squad - it's a never ending process.

"I am a perfectionist, but you can't get perfection. I'll try and get as close to it as I can."

Ternent's believes his side have a tough start to their campaign, starting tomorrow.

"We have tough games coming up; Stockport could be classed as half a derby and Bradford certainly is one, whereas Colchester will have an eye on promotion. No games are easy and we will prepare properly for each one, but when the ball moves its war and you have to do your best.

"Stockport have come up, are coming to a big Stadium with a big crowd and a lovely playing surface and I'd expect them to be up for it. It will be difficult, but it's a challenge to look forward to. We will be organised, fit and have a desire to win.

"I've had them covered and I have a decent idea of how Stockport will setup, but it's more about what we do. I imagine they will look at it the same way, but we have to contend with that."

Town performed well against European giants Arsenal in midweek, but Stan will have another two players available for the weekend.

"Michael Flynn and Boothy will be available for selection, so we'll have a clean bill of health other than young Danny Broadbent. That makes selection difficult and some of the lads will be disappointed not to be selected, but it's a good problem to have. It's up to them to go and enjoy the game, play and win.

"We're all excited about it, as we're all football people; this is what we do! Sometimes it's not a good idea to manage a football club and if you want a life, don't be a football manager as it's a full-time occupation but I've done it all my life. I still have that will and desire, I'm still fit and I still have something between my ears. I want to succeed and I'll be nervous come Saturday, that's for sure.

"We want to achieve promotion, but there will be another 12 or 13 teams thinking they can do the same. We shall see."

The Club is expecting another big crowd down at the Galpharm for Saturday's 3pm kick-off and the Gaffer explained he would have it no other way.

He continued: "I'd prefer to play in front of a full house as opposed to scratching around the place. There is an expectation level and we need to succeed, but again I'd rather have that as opposed to doom and gloom. We'll have a go and the World loves a trier; there will be bad and good days, but come next May I'm hopeful we will be in the shakeup. Some players will love a crowd and others will be overwhelmed by it; we will find out how people react come Saturday.

"It's Showtime on Saturday. The work we put in during the week means nothing - it comes down to two 45 minute sessions. It's something to look forward to."

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