Steadying the ship

By Chris Bevan

Newman confirmed as U's boss Watkiss optimistic after takeover

It has been a summer of uncertainty for two of the Conference's newest clubs.

The very future of Cambridge United and Kidderminster Harriers has been in doubt since they were relegated from the Football League in May.

Cambridge went close to going under before an agreement was reached with their creditors in July.

There were similar concerns about Harriers until a successful takeover of the club was completed.

Now the emphasis has switched from the boardroom to the pitch at the Abbey Stadium and Aggborough.

U's boss Rob Newman and Kidderminster manager Stuart Watkiss tell BBC Sport how they are preparing for the new season.

BUILDING A TEAM

Newman: "Two weeks ago I had four players. Hopefully by the time the season starts I will have 14 or 15.

"With two or three more additions, coupled with the very good youth set-up we have here, I am as happy as I can be given the situation we are in financially.

"The players have been excellent. When we started training most of them were trialists looking to earn something.

"The way they have approached the training sesssions and the matches we have played in pre-season has been first class and, ultimately, it has earned them a contract here."

"We are getting some stability, which is what the club obviously needs."

WATKISS FACTS Age: 39 Played for: Wolves (84-86), Crewe (86-92), Rushall Olympic (92-93), Walsall (93-96), Hereford (96), Mansfield (96-99) League games: 121 Goals: 3 Managed: Mansfield (02), Kidderminster (04- )

Watkiss: "We have still got to complete the squad. With 15-16 players I think we've got around three-quarters of it together now.

"The minimum number you need with the transfer window in place is 20 - you have to name 16 week in, week out so even that only allows you three or four injuries or suspensions.

"It's a bit of a juggling act if you like. We all want to get the best players in but, as in any walk of life, the teams with the financial clout obviously get the better people on board."

A FRESH CHALLENGE?

Newman: "This level is new to me. I played all my football at professional level - in all four divisions.

CAMBRIDGE FACTS Year formed: 1912 Joined League: 1970 Best season: 5th in Championship (1991-92)

"I think the Conference is very similar to League Two now and if I approach it the same way as I did in League Two last season I am not going to be far away, hopefully.

"There will be some culture shocks for me and for my players. We just have to be in a position where we can cope with them."

Watkiss: "It is not like we are a really established Football League club coming down here for the first time.

"It is only five years since Kidderminster were a Conference team so we know what to expect. We know it is probably the most difficult and competitive league to get out of.

"You only have to look at the amount of full-time teams in there now - so we are in for a real tough campaign."

TESTING TIMES

NEWMAN FACTS Age: 41 Played for: Bristol City (81-91), Norwich (91-98), Southend (98-03) League games: 696 Goals: 77 Managed: Southend (01-03), Cambridge (05- )

Newman: "It is going to be a difficult season, no doubt about that - the Conference is improving every year.

"Finances are going up and, if we are honest, we have probably got one of the smallest budgets in the league this year.

"Saying that, I am happy with the way things have gone. I have got a small amount of optimism that we can compete successfully and I am looking forward to it."

Watkiss: "You would hope the takeover completion will give us stability. The boardroom battle took longer than anyone would have liked.

"It needed to be resolved in order for the club to move forward.

"We are realists and we appreciate there are going to be several teams in the Conference with a bigger budget than us."

A QUICK RETURN

Newman: "There is no way I'm going to say we are going to take this League by storm - or that we are going to get promotion.

"All we've got to do, first and foremost, is compete.

"After 10 games I think we can assess what sort of standard the Conference is all about.

"Then maybe we will say to ourselves, 'hang on a minute, we have got half a chance here'. If not, then we will maybe have to make some changes along the way."

HARRIERS FACTS Year formed: 1886 Joined League: 2000 Best season: 12th in League Two (2002-03)

Watkiss: "To be fair to the players they've looked decent in training, they've worked hard.

"We know it's going to be difficult and it won't be a walk in the park.

"But we're certainly going in with the notion we don't want to make the numbers up. We want to be as competitive as we possibly can be and we want to get ourselves back into the Football league.

"The finances will go a long way to deciding whether that is possible or not."