Croydon Athletic manager Tim O'Shea has accused Jimmy Cooper of playing mind games after the Met Police boss claimed the Rams were favourites to win Ryman Division One South this season.
Cooper believes the Rams record once O'Shea took over last season, in which they only lost twice, and the players he has brought in will make them one of the teams to beat.
O'Shea laughed off the comments however, saying there was no expectation of his players.
"I think maybe Jimmy is trying to play a few mind games," he said.
"I think I am right in saying he has said they should be a Premier side and they are going to go one better than last year and one better than the play-offs is automatic promotion so I don't know how we are favourites.
"Our objective is to finish better than last season and then we are moving in the right direction.
"Nothing else has been mentioned to the players.
"If other sides want to make us favourites fantastic, but these guys certainly don't think they are, they are just going to go out and do the best they can."
The Rams followed up a 1-0 friendly defeat to Brentford on Saturday with a 1-1 draw with a Crystal Palace academy side on Monday night. New striker Gary Noel getting the equaliser.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here