AARON Nell is feeling assured heading into his first full season in charge of the Swindon Wildcats after what he has deemed to be a positive pre-season campaign.

Having got his recruitment for the new campaign wrapped up relatively early, Nell’s new-look side claimed two wins at home and two defeats on the road from their four friendlies.

Despite that mixed form, the attitude shown by Cats' players in the four fixtures has left him feeling buoyant ahead of their curtain-raiser on Saturday evening.

“We’re feeling good going into the season opener,” Nell said.

“It has been a very positive pre-season and we have had four good games and a lot of practice, and we are all ready to go, mentally and physically.

“We had four good games and we would have liked to have won the two away games as well, but (Wednesday) night in Basingstoke, we were very positive and we worked hard and did a lot of good things.

“The young boys have done really well. They have given me very good headaches when it comes to selection.

“We obviously have a very good goalie in Stevie and our imports are good.

“It was great to have Tomasz (Malasinski) back in the line-up on Wednesday night. He has come back as good as ever from his international duty and is looking very good.

“On the rush, we are very good but we need to make sure we have more possession of the puck this year because I think we got out-shot a lot last season and we want to change that.”

Swindon start their season at home to the side that ended their play-off hopes last term – Guildford Flames – before heading east to Peterborough on Sunday.

Nell is looking to get the season off to a good start but is under no illusions over the difficulty of their opening.

“They are two very good teams and we could have wished that maybe there was a bit of an easier game to play on the first game of the season but it is going to be a test for us,” he added.

“Guildford are always up there and are always tough to play against.

“It was a good play-off series with them last season and we want to get that first win against them on Saturday night because it is big for the league and the cup.

“If we can get a win on Saturday night, then it will put us in a good position going into Sunday.

“Peterborough are a very well organised side. They are a bit younger this year and we have got to try and jump on them early.

“They’re rink isn’t the nicest in the world and it is about who wants it more there.”

  • We return with Ice Hockey Live this weekend as Harry Abbott and Matthew Davies bring you minute-by-minute updates of the action from the Link Centre from 5.30pm.