CARL Macauley says he expects this season to be challenging for Witton Albion but that only makes him more determined.

The manager is working with a reduced budget and won’t be able to rely on Steve Tames after last season’s leading goal-scorer left to play in Wales for Bala Town.

Rather than feel hard done by, Macauley told the Guardian it has increased his motivation.

“It will be tough to improve on finishing seventh last season but that won’t stop us trying,” he said.

“The standard we have to be at is higher because there are some big, big clubs that have been promoted from the level below and it’s a bit scary to see how much they’re prepared to spend to meet their ambitions.

“I want to test my ability, and to improve, by pitting myself against them.

“My players should feel the same.”

They have an opportunity to do that straightaway when they visit South Shields on Saturday.

The Mariners have been promoted in each of the past three seasons and lost only once in a Northern Premier League fixture in front of their own supporters last term.

Their rise up the pyramid feels relentless, which has persuaded the bookmakers’ to make them favourites to win the title.

Macauley said: “South Shields are one of those clubs making the step up and they’ll have a big crowd behind them that will want to make life difficult for us.

“But we did well away from home last season, and recorded positive results in games like this.”

He is right; only three teams lost fewer matches on their travels last term, and two of those were promoted.

Albion also collected at least a point from their visits to every club that finished inside the top six, except for Ashton United.

The pace and aggression of Tames helped them to counter-attack in those games, and Macauley admits the forward’s departure is a blow to his side’s hopes.

However the headline signings he has made have all made an impression during pre-season.

“We’ve looked at different formations, and changed systems, to try and get the best out of what we have,” added Macauley.

“The new lads have settled well, and it will take time for them to get to know their teammates and also to learn what we want from the.

“We’ve spent time this summer working hard on our shape because we refuse to just throw something at them.

“Instead they’ll know exactly what is expected.”

The 47-year-old, about to embark on his third full season at Wincham Park, also acknowledged the importance of starting a campaign strongly.

Albion did exactly that last August, collecting 11 points from six games and keeping a clean-sheet in half of those.

Tames’ exit may persuade Macauley to be similarly conservative in the next fortnight.

He said: “It’s a testing fixture list, with two trips to the north east in the space of seven days.

“But it’s imperative we make a good start and put points on the board quickly because that breeds confidence and you can get on a bit of a roll.

“We feel ready though. And excited.”