PHIL Parkinson has appealed to Altrincham supporters to turn The J.Davidson Stadium into 'a cauldron' to help fire his reshaped side to a promotion challenge in the Evo-Stik Premier Division.

As Alty prepare to usher in a new campaign at home to Stafford Rangers on Saturday, Parkinson admitted he faced a selection dilemma, after a 1-0 friendly defeat at Trafford, but insisted fan power could prove pivotal in reviving the club's fortunes following two successive relegations.

"I feel it's going to be a really exciting season for everyone connected with Altrincham, and I am really looking forward to it," said the Robins boss.

"I just hope and pray the fans get behind us and turn out in numbers, because Stafford's surely will.

"I'm really looking forward to hearing Alty fans in full song, because they could be the difference for us.

"We go on about being a big club, but we need to show it and we need our fanbase to reflect the football we play.

"We have to give our fans something that will get them behind us, football they can enjoy, and if we do that, this place can be an intimidating cauldron for other teams to visit.

"Make no mistake, we are in for a rough time, because everyone is going to want to beat us.

"We are a big scalp, so we need to turn that round very quickly by winning games and making ourselves a team to be feared.

"We have to be aware it's going to be a very tough season.

"Nothing will be won or lost in the opening month, I can guarantee.

"It will be down to how we go through the gears and how we make ourselves very difficult to beat, while still playing our brand of football.

"Lads like Laurence Taylor and Simon Richman, who came on and gave us a bit of an injection at Trafford, have put themselves in the frame.

"I was fairly sure about what I was starting the season with, but I've got something to think about now."