Derek Brazil stated on Saturday that County’s season begins now, as they attempt to attain the top ten finish that will guarantee them a spot in the new 12-team league that starts next season.

Having had their last two games cancelled, he expects the players to step up their performance, beginning with the home game against Airbus on Saturday. In typically honest style he said: “We just haven’t been good enough so far this season, and we have 17 games left to ensure we are in the top ten.”

Buoyed by the decision of Nicky Woodrow to remain at the club, despite interest from a top ten club, Brazil has added to his squad, while releasing some players. Out go leading scorer Robbie Walters, winger Jarrod Price and defender Damon Searle.

“Robbie has been excellent for us this season, but we needed a different kind of striker. Robbie, Jack and Woody are all similar and I had to look at the long term, and see who out of the three would be most effective for us.”

In place of Walters, in comes six foot five inch striker Tom Billing. Billing last played for County in the 2001-02 season, before going to university. He has also appeared for Aberystwyth, Merthyr and Pontypridd. Most recently he has been playing for Clevedon Town.

“Tom is different to what we have,” the manager said. “He’s a big striker, who holds the ball up well.”

Also returning to the Meadow, after injury and an operation in the summer, is creative midfielder Tom Ramasut, who will bring much needed experience into the youthful midfield.

Ramasut has been playing for Aberaman since his knee operation. “As soon as I knew he was fit, there was only one place he was going to go,” Brazil said.

New defender Mark Dodds, has joined after being released by Carmarthen. Making way for Dodds, is Damon Searle.

“Searly always knew this was going to be a short term thing, but he is a fantastic professional. He knew that to bring players in I had to move players out. I think a lot of the younger players have learned from him in the short space of time he was here.”

Also coming to the Meadow are Ross Jones, who joins on loan from Llanelli, and right winger Josh Hartrick who joins from Newport.

“I expect all of the new signings to make an impact at the club,” the manager said. “There is lot of competition in the squad, and it’s up to them to make it into the 14, and then into the starting 11.”

Alongside the mixture of youth and experience that he has brought in, Derek Brazil also has managed to extend the loan of Jamie Grimes from Swansea City, who Brazil expects to improve even more, now that he got used to the pace of the Welsh Premier League.

As if that wasn’t enough to give the manager a selection problem, Gareth Elliott has returned from injury, and there is the abundance of players who have come through from the club’s youth setup, run by Ronnie Beynon.

Steffan Williams, who was recommended to the club by Mike Delaney, has already made an impact in the squad.

But with the likes of Ricky Watts, Rob Morgans, Kristian Griffiths and Jack Jones forcing their way into contention, and reserve team players like Johnathan Clark and Craig George, competition for places will be tough.

County fans will surely get to see some of the new signings on Saturday against Airbus, but the manager wasn’t giving anything away regarding team selection. “The season starts now,” he said on leaving Saturday’s training session. “I’ve told the players it’s down to them.”