Montrose boss Steven Tweed accepts it would not be possible for his side to have a worse season this time around.
The Gable Endies finished last term rooted to the foot of the third division after the ignominy of taking 20 games to notch their first league victory of the campaign.
But Tweed believes that there is better to come this season.
He said, “I’m optimistic for three reasons.
“Firstly, I’ve added quality to the squad in the shape of Stephen McNally and Paul Tosh, who we brought in at Christmas, and Terry Masson and Nicky Smith.
“And of course I’m still looking to bring in other boys of that calibre.”
He added, “Secondly, the youngsters we had to go with last year when in hindsight they weren’t ready have another 12 months’ experience under their belts.
“And thirdly, we’ve Sean Fleming and Gordon Pope getting back fit after missing virtually the whole of last season.”
Tweed acknowledged, though, that starting well-and the first three games pit them against Queen’s Park, East Stirling and Arbroath-is a must.
He said, “After what happened last year, we want to get that first win on the board quickly.
“We’d want that monkey off our backs as soon as possible.”
