Hayden Bird has urged his Carshalton Athletic squad to seize their chance as the Robins look to mount another Ryman Premier promotion charge this campaign.

Having been within a penalty kick of play-off glory last time round, Carshalton will head into the new season with renewed optimism, further boosted by the arrival of six high-profile signings.

And Bird is tipping his side for great things.

He said: “I think this season is a fantastic opportunity for us.

“If you look at the clubs that have gone up in the past - the likes of Dover, Staines and AFC Wimbledon - to an extent they were bullies in the playground.

“It was very difficult to compete with those guys.

“I do not see that happening this year.

“With the players we have coming in, and the expectations being raised, we have to set ourselves high targets.

“I’m not going to say we will win the league, but that is what we need to aim for.”

The Robins boss unveiled his raft of new signings last week - defenders Antonio Gonnella (Hastings) and Scott Cousins (St Albans), midfielders Matt Gray (Havant & Waterlooville) and Wes Daly (Boreham Wood), striker Frankie Sawyer (Hastings) and keeper Wes Foderingham (season-long loan from Fulham).

And Bird reckons the new arrivals will have an instant impact.

He added: “I think the new players will improve an already strong squad by about 30 to 40 per cent.

“They strengthen the areas that we identified last season.

“It is not just about the ability - they arrive with a big-club mentality.

“Personally I do not think any of them should be playing football at this level, but that is only to our advantage.

“There is no question that there will be pressure on them to succeed, but that is a pressure they welcome, and I include myself in that.”