Chris Strain is on a mission to restore belief at Beith.
The Mighty boss reckons he has the makings of a squad capable of causing a stir in the West of Scotland League Premier Division.
But he recognises there's work to be done to fully shake off the hangover from last season.
The Bellsdale Park outfit finished just two points above the drop zone after a poor run of results that saw Bryan Young axed from the dugout.
Strain replaced Young in May and has spent the intervening months trying to put his own stamp on the team, blending seven new signings with a healthy core of established stars.
His reign got off to a good start with a 3-1 win away to newly-promoted Cambuslang on the opening day of the season. But last weekend's 2-0 home defeat against Hurlford United showed the rebuild is still a work in progress
Strain told Ayrshire Football News: "I didn't think there was much in it against Hurlford to be honest.
"But you could see when we had a wee setback there was an over eagerness to rectify things.
"I think there was a wee lack of confidence after last season. It will take time to get us where I want us to be.
"But I don't think I've had a more willing group of players to work with. They've responded brilliantly to new ideas and ways of doing things.
"We brought in seven new players in the summer and I'm happy with the quality we have.
"If we can add another three or four players I think we could challenge at the top end of the table."
Strain reckons calm heads will be needed for what he predicts will be another dog-eat-dog season.
He added: "I think we all have Darvel to beat. They're going to be difficult to finish above.
"But I think every other team is capable of beating each other.
"The important thing over the course of the season is not to get too high with the highs or too low with the lows."
Beith will look to get back to winning ways in the league tomorrow when they travel to Glasgow to take on Petershill.
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