ROCHDALE HORNETS coach Gary Thornton aims to make the club’s Crown Oil Arena home a fortress.
Due to the unavailability of the ground later in the campaign, Hornets play ten of their next twelve league games there.
“That makes our fixture list is different than many,” he said. “We’re tenants of our home ground and are dictated a little bit by the football club (Rochdale), who are having work done on the pitch in the summer.
“We’ve got a lot of home games early on and the chance to get off to a quick start. We need to make those matches really count.
“It will be tough to manage such a lopsided schedule, but hopefully after the first half of the season we will find ourselves in a reasonably strong position.
“It’s a different challenge, a tough challenge against some high-level clubs, but it’s one we’ve wanted as a group.
“We’ve got some really tough games this season, especially with the way the fixtures are structured. Some sides have easier draws than others, given the system this year, and I’m expecting some strange results.”
Rochdale have refreshed their squad in the off-season with veterans Gregg McNally, Martyn Ridyard and Duane Straugheir all departing.
Hooker Ross Whitmore has been named as the new captain, and his boss explained: “I like what Ross brings to the group.
“He’s very honest to start with, and he’s also hard-working and conscientious. He’s a good leader and does all the right things. He loves Rugby League and that mindset is quite infectious.
“Three of our main players retired last year, and they’re obviously big figures in the dressing room, quality players and leaders too,
“We knew we had to refresh things, especially in pivotal areas of the field. With the budget that we’ve got, we’ve brought a few experienced heads in but also given some younger players a chance to show what they can do – players who want to make a name for themselves.
“I love that personally, because they’ll bring enthusiasm and want to prove to people what they’re about.”