Ipswich boss Louis admits to being ‘shocked’ at the look of his Witches side!

The Witches start their season next weekend, Saturday, March 25, with a Championship clash against Sheffield Tigers at Foxhall.

The Tigers too are tipped by many for success this season, but it is the Witches Louis cares about – and he is happy with the squad he has assembled.

“I was shocked when I looked at our team on paper after we had completed it and was wondering how we had done it with 2.5 points less than we had previously!” Louis said.

“It looks stronger than any team we have built previously since we have been in the Premier League. It was surprising but I’m very happy with it and we are in many people’s top bracket to do well and rightly so.

“I don’t think anyone wants to label anyone ‘favourites’ as it looks competitive again this year.

“We have a strong top five and we have the best two ‘two-pointers’ in the league with the most potential (Danyon Hume and Connor Mountain). I’m very pleased with the side and enthusiastic and looking forward to working with them and watching them and obviously with the track changes I think it is going to be a really interesting year.”

The extra work on the track is coming along well, although Louis admits the indifferent weather again hasn’t helped, although he is confident all will be well for Press and Practice Day this Monday.

“The big job of the winter has been making a few changes to the track which hasn’t been going well due to the unfortunate regular rain showers and frost after Christmas but we have had a couple of breaks in the weather and managed to crack on and it’s looking really good now,” Louis admits.

“It’s not 100% finished but it is almost done and we’re 100% confident it will be done by Press Day. I’m looking forward to seeing the lads out on the track and getting their feedback and seeing what they think.”

The Witches ride each team in the Championship home and away twice in the newly-named league and have been drawn against Berwick in the cup.