STEVE Claridge wants Weymouth to make the Wessex Stadium a 'fortress' this season - starting tomorrow in their Conference South opener with Cambridge City, 3pm.

The Terras boss reckons poor home form cost his side glory last term and he wants better perform-ances at Radipole Lane this time around.

And the striker says a bumper 2,000-plus crowd tomorrow would show Weymouth mean business again.

He said: "We're going to face a real battle if we want to be up at the top of the table challenging again this season, that's for certain.

"But if we want to be serious contenders one of the things we have to do is put right our home form.

"It simply was not good enough last season, particularly towards the end of the campaign, and often we did not perform at a level we were capable of.

Optimism

"That is something we have to put right this time around. We need to make the Wessex a fortress starting against Cambridge City tomorrow.

"There is nothing better than starting the season with a win in front of your own fans and three points will give us a real lift going into what is a tough run of games in August.

"There is a lot of optimism around the club at the moment, none more so than on the terraces and the new signings have all commented on it.

"A few of them have

said they've been amazed

with the level of support we

have, which is fantastic to

hear.

"A lot of investment has gone into the club over the summer and hopefully people will turn up in big numbers tomorrow to show their appreciation - a crowd of around 2,000 will show we mean business."

Striker Chukki Eribenne (heel) and defender Nathan Bunce (groin) both face late fitness tests, while winger Adam Wilde (groin) is almost definitely out.

Claridge claimed recent pre- season defeats for Weymouth would have no bearing on the league curtain-raiser.

"The games we've lost have to be put into context," he said.

"We've played experimental sides and I'm certain those defeats won't have a bearing on tomorrow.

"We've learned a few things over the last couple of weeks though such as players preparations.

"Last week quite a few of the players were sat in a car for six hours travelling down to Weymouth on the morning of the game.

"As a result they were sluggish and that's no good for anyone.

"To counter that, all the squad is assembling later today and staying overnight in the town to ensure we are fresh for tomorrow."

Claridge added: "Although I'm confident we can win,

I'm certainly not

taking Cambridge City for granted.

"Anyone who was good enough to qualify for Conference South has proved they are a decent side so we'll have to be on the top of our game."

Meanwhile midfielder Ian Hutchinson's proposed loan move to Dorchester Town is definitely off - at least for now.

"Nothing is happening in that regard," said Claridge.

"We've got players

out injured and Hutch is a valuable member of my squad.

"Once everyone is fit, we'll have another look at the situation and go from there."

Weymouth (from): Matthews, Tully, Gibbs, Bound, Waterman, Hutchinson, Buckle, Philpott, Charles, Claridge, Phillips, Pethick, Bunce, Eribenne, Browne, Wilkinson.