PLAYER-MANAGER Carl Davies is looking for Bracknell Town to sharpen up their shooting ahead of their opening Bostik League South Central Division fixture against Waltham Abbey at Larges Lane on Saturday (3pm), writes Dave Wright.

The Robins were guilty of squandering chances in their 3-2 defeat at Binfield last Tuesday and again when they won 2-1 at Thame United in their final friendly on Saturday.

“We’ve got to be more ruthless in front of goal,” commented Davies.

His side were soundly beaten by the Moles and the manager was far from impressed, but it was a totally different story at Evo-Stik League side Thame.

“We were very disappointing at Binfield, but we showed a good reaction on Saturday and that pleased me,” he added.

“We started well and, even after they (Thame) had equalised with a penalty we continued to play well and deserved to beat a decent team.

“The only disappointment for me was the fact we failed to take our chances. We should have got at least another couple of goals and I felt the scoreline flattered Thame in the end.

“Not scoring enough goals is the real downside at the moment. We have got to be more ruthless in front of goal, starting this Saturday.”

The Robins are unlikely to name their strike force until close to kick-off, but new signing Gavin James must be in with a good shout of making his league debut.

The forward, who helped Thatcham win the FA Vase at Wembley in May, made an immediate impact after coming off the bench at Thame, linking up well with his former Kingfishers teammate Liam Ferdinand, who was credited with both goals at the ASM Stadium.

“Gav held the ball up well, worked the channels – he was excellent after coming on,” commented Davies.”I am going to have a few selection headaches to sort out, but that’s what I wanted.”

Wide-man Seb Bowerman, who missed the Thame game, is set to return this Saturday even though new signing Josh Helmore performed well on the left flank, as did young Kayne Fitzgerald after he came off the bench.

“It was nice that when we are missing a player like Seb, you have another option and not notice that you have people missing. That was my aim pre-season and I like to think I have accomplished that.

“So overall, I am very happy at the moment,” said the manager.

Davies is looking forward to leading his side into a new league and new territory.

“When I was a player only, we had managers saying they had done their homework on the opposition, explaining they are good at this, they are good at that. We need to make sure we are doing this and doing that,” Davies continued.

“I used to hate that as I don’t want to know about them in a way, but now I am a manager as well, I want to know.

“That aside, I don’t intend focussing too much on the other team, because on our day I know we are capable of beating anyone. Of course, we will respect all of our opponents.

“Our immediate aim is to get off to a good start and we have got to go into Saturday’s game feeling confident.”

Former Reading Academy star and England schools international Ashleigh Artwell will be added to the Robins squad, but left-back Ryan Parsons is not available. His place is likely to be taken by skipper Dave Hancock, with Joe Gater operating on the right flank.

And Davies dropped a hint that another new signing could be included in his squad.

Waltham Abbey are managed by 50-year-old Mark Stimson, the former Football League player with Newcastle United, Portsmouth, Southend United and Leyton Orient.