SWINDON Wildcats general manager Steve Nell hopes to see his side fighting for honours on multiple fronts in the new English Premier League season.

The Cats begin the new campaign at home to Guildford Flames this evening and Nell is optimistic that a fruitful year is ahead of them.

Although the Swindon supremo admits it may be difficult to string together the consistency required over a 54-game season to challenge for the league title, the EPL Cup and end-of-season play-offs provide other sources of silverware.

Swindon have not qualified for play-off finals weekend since the 2013-14 campaign – their only appearance at the grand finale in Coventry over the past six years – and Nell is eager for the team to put that right this term.

“If we can get to the semis or the final of the cup, that would be great, and if we can make Coventry again, which is something we have done every two or three years, then that’d be great too,” said Nell.

“Really, the goal is to get there and if we can do that, then it’s to get to the final.

“In the cup, we missed out by a point last year to get to the semis. It’s very tight and it will be the same again this year, so if we can get to the semis, it’s just a two-game thing.

“The league is a different scenario. It’s tougher over the long-term league scenario but once you get to those play-offs and the cup semis, it’s a few games and we are as good as any team on the night. We proved that last year and I am sure we will do the same this year.”

The Cats are very much a family business, with Nell’s son, Aaron, serving as player-coach.

Nell junior took over during a turbulent period for the club last October, which saw his predecessor, netminder Stevie Lyle, step down from his post before making a swift return in a player-only capacity, while two of their imports were also changed as Carlo Finucci and Jonas Hoog replaced Miroslav Zalesak and Sami Ryhanen.

The player-coach has since signed a one-year rolling contract to remain in his position and GM Nell hopes to benefit from a steadier ship off the ice this term.

“It was a difficult situation last year and Aaron handled it really well,” said Nell senior.

“It helps having Kenton Smith (assistant coach) about and Stevie as well, because Stevie is still a big part of the team and an experienced player and Aaron talks to him a lot. He has got good people around him and that’s what it is about.

“I was really pleased with the job he did last year and I am sure he will do a good job this year too. He wants to make it better. It’s his hometown club and he wants to do as well as he can.

“I don’t foresee any changes. We know exactly what we have got. Three of the imports are back anyway and the two who are new, we know who they are.

“It’s all about good people in the dressing room and I think we have that this year and I wouldn’t expect us to make any changes to our import line-up in anyway.”