Jon Brady admits extra expectation will surround his Brackley Town team this season.
Brady steered the Saints to a third-place finish in Blue Square Bet North last season, eventually seeing them lose to FC Halifax Town in the play-off final.
It was a fine achievement in their first season at step two following promotion and something of which the club can be proud.
But now Brackley will no longer be able to go under the radar; they have established themselves as a team to beat.
And Brady, who takes the Saints to Barrow for their opening game on Saturday, knows his men will have to be even better this season if they are to make their way into the promotion picture.
“It’s a different kettle of fish this season,” he said. “Everyone will realise we were in the top three last season and everyone will expect us to be a good side.
“Teams won’t be taking us lightly and there will be expectation from our fans and fans of opposition teams.
“We’ve got to do even better than we did last year and make sure we keep moving forward.”
With Chester and FC Halifax Town now out of the way following their promotion to Blue Square Bet Premier, Brackley face new challenges this season.
AFC Telford United and Stockport County lead the betting for the title, while foes from last season such as Altrincham and Guiseley remain.
And Brady believes the league is even stronger this year, with several teams capable of being in the shake-up for promotion to the next level.
He said: “The league’s very strong. There are no weak links.
“There’s probably not two out-and-out exceptional teams like Chester and Halifax, but there are teams like Telford, North Ferriby, Gainsborough Trinity and others involved.
“There could be 14 or 15 teams competing for spots in the top five.”
Brackley have shed a few players during the summer, with James Clifton and Tom Winters moving to Oxford City.
Jefferson Louis has also left the club during the close season, while Elliot Sandy will spend the first part of the new campaign at Corby Town as he bids to get some match fitness.
But Brady has added to his squad during the close season, bringing in right-back Neil Cartwright, central midfielder Steve Towers, striker Charlie Griffin and, most recently, former Cobblers winger Greg Kaziboni.
And he is happy with the business he has done ahead of Saturday’s big kick-off at Barrow.
“We’ve got players in at the moment who have added to the squad and given us an extra dimension,” said Brady. “We’ve now got more pace and directness.”
And on the subject of this weekend’s league curtain-raiser, he added: “We’ve had Barrow watched and they will be a very good side.
“They have come down from the Conference and regrouped well.
“They’ve made some good signings and have a few danger men.
“We’ll have to be at our best to get a result there.”