LEIGH CENTURIONS boss Darren Shaw admits the opening 11 days of the Co-operative National League One season will severely test his new-look side's title credentials.
Shaw recruited heavily during the off-season and has seen his side breeze through the Northern Rail Cup group stage with an impressive six wins out of six record.
But he is expecting a stiff mental and physical challenge as his side kick off the league campaign with back-to-back Easter games against Salford and Widnes, quickly followed by a home clash with improving Dewsbury.
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"These three games are going to come as really quickly and it doesn't get much tougher than Salford, Widnes and Dewsbury in less than two weeks," he says.
"It's a big test of our credentials. Come the Dewsbury game we're going to be mentally and physically drained - just like the rest of the teams in the division.
"Hopefully we can come through these three games with as many league points in he bag as we can to set us up nicely for the rest of the season."
Leigh get a good opportunity to put their credentials before a national audience tonight (Thursday) when the league programme kicks off with a home game against title favourites Salford at Hilton Park - a match broadcast live at 6pm by Sky.
"We've got to raise the bar 100 per cent from what we produced against Blackpool at the weekend," he admits.
"Salford have recruited very well after their relegation and have some big forwards, good halves and plenty of strike power out wide. They'll be a huge test for us."
Following today's game Leigh only have three days to prepare for another trip to Widnes on Easter Monday - the third meeting between the sides already this season.
"Widnes start the season with a nine-point deficit imposed by the League after going into administration but I know they'll want to wipe those off as soon as possible. Our two games have been very tight and now they've recruited John Duffy to give them an added dimension in the middle of the field.
"I've seen Dewsbury twice in their games against Featherstone and they too will be a tough team to beat.
"This season is probably going to be the most competitive ever in National League One with a whole stack of teams of similar ability. We want to make a good start and throw our marker down early."
Shaw will make changes from the team that struggled against Blackpool with rested Ian Watson, Mike Wainwright and Lee Doran all ready to be re-called.
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