Coventry Sphinx manager Luke Hopkins has said that he is not far away from having a top side.
Hopkins told the Sphinx website: "Firstly, it was a good work out against Copsewood Saturday and good luck to them for the season. Dutts will get them playing and if he's taken anything away from our previous two years it won't be all pretty!!
"2-2 and a familiar case of missed chances at crucial times and trying to play too much.
" it's like a pre-season curse players get. We have also played a in squad 11v11 with some new late comers looking to strength further which was a very benefiting blow out.
"We aren't very far away from having a very very good side, I've been in and around the club for a number of years and seen people come and go, but some of the talent here is of the highest quality vie seen and it makes me excited for the season to start.
"To be successful over a full season you will end up playing 60 games plus so it’s a long 40 weeks and you get to know each other and see sides you wouldn’t expect if a team was brand new, but I feel we have already done a year together as Banko mentioned the spirit and the togetherness is brilliant for the stage of the development.
"We do need to hit the ground running and we have a few bits to work on this week but I'm feeling ready to go and a nice tough one to start with, away to Long Eaton, Home to Quorn and then Lye Town in FA Cup proves there are no easy games in this league and it's one of the strongest I've seen. Some of the teams and there backing are great for non-league football let alone step 5 midland premier league.
"We have come a long way off the pitch and behind the scenes and it's time for the football team to catch up overtake and keep the cycle going, step by step all heading in the right direction. Hopefully with a bit of luck, because you do it need and you create your own at times, but we will competing on all fronts of silverware. "