Croydon FC manager Mike Robbins is brimming with confidence as his side get ready to face Ash United in their opening Combined Counties League fixture this Saturday.

Robbins had to rebuild the Trams' squad from scratch since taking over at the start of the summer and but says the club is buzzing following their undefeated pre-season, which concluded with a 1-0 victory over VCD Athletic in the Kent League Challenge Shield on Saturday.

"We've played some nice football, but we know how to mix it up if we need to," he said.

"Tooting & Mitcham are the only side we failed to beat, though coming back from behind with a weakened side shows character.

"The Shield victory was a very good performance, we beat VCD 1-0 at the start of last season and went on to win six in a row so hopefully we can do something similar."

Robbins revealed that only two players from last season's squad answered the phone when he called regarding this year's campaign, central midfielders Aaron Smith and Timmy Murdoch.

Goalkeeper Chris Arnold and defender Brian Pearce from former club Tunbridge are among the new players he has brought in.

"Chris is a very good player and Brian is strong and looks to be forming a good partnership with Sam Groombridge so I'm not surprised we've only conceded three in six games," he says.

"Daniel Westerman is probably the name to look out for and Jamie Marriott held the ball up superbly on Saturday.

"The key thing for this season is enjoyment, but I see no reason why we can't finish above tenth place, and who knows, maybe even the top six."