DIRECTOR of football Andy Preece believes it is unrealistic to think the Wingmakers can better last season's historic second-placed finish, but that isn't stopping him from targeting a title challenge against the odds-on Welsh Premier favourites The New Saints.
Airbus took many people by surprise last season as they qualified for the Europa League having previously been unable to break into the league’s top six.
Preece rightly described that achievement as "fantastic" before admitting that it would be even tougher to finish inside the top two this term.
"It was an unbelievable achievement to do what we did last season, it was a fantastic season for everyone involved at the club," he said.
"It is unrealistic to think that we can better what we did last season because we effectively won our league when you think about the part-time teams and the fact that TNS should really win the league every year.
"The aim is to try and do it again this year, we want to repeat what we did. But it will be more difficult this season when you look at the business done by teams.
"It will be tight again and it will be a good league, an exciting league.
"We will give it our best shot again, ultimately we want to try and win the league, but getting in the top six and targeting second spot is the realistic aim. I’m really looking forward to the challenges of an incredibly tough league."
First-up for the Wingmakers is a home game against Carmarthen Town, who Preece feels are more than capable of challenging for a place in Europe.
"Carmarthen can almost put out two teams with the signings they’ve made," he added.
"They will be really strong and one of the favourites for the top two.
"It will be a tight game against a side who are trying to go under the radar a little bit but should really be challenging for the top three or four.
"Mark Aizlewood sets his team up really well against us and it would be a great three points if we can get them.
"Last season they beat us three times to our one win."
