LLANDUDNO boss Iwan Williams has challenged his side to reach the JD Welsh Premier League’s top six once again ahead of their season opener on Friday.

The former Caernarfon Town manager is about to embark on his first full season at the helm and has undergone a complete squad overhaul as he looks to improve the club’s fortunes this time around.

They begin with a stern test Aberystwyth Town, who have enjoyed a busy summer themselves as Nev Powell looks to stamp his mark on the set-up.

Williams, said: “I have taken a bit of a risk in changing the squad so much in a sense, but at the same time I wanted new faces here who fully embraced our style of play and what we are trying to do here.

“I have had to have some hard conversations, but it is all part of the job, and I cannot praise the players that have come in enough for what they have given me so far.

“Aberystwyth will be a bit of an unknown quantity, so we have been concentrating on our formation and style of play, and then try and adapt to anything they throw at us.”

Williams saved special praise for Ieuan Hewitt and Zyacc Edwards, two arrivals from Flint Town United and Prestatyn Town, for the way they have applied themselves throughout a gruelling pre-season schedule, with Alun Webb recently stating the Tudno dressing room was “the best he’s ever been involved in”.

“It is great to hear your players saying things like that, and I have given them responsibility to hold themselves accountable to the standards we are setting,” added Williams.

“I am not afraid to say it and it is a dream of mine to get back into Europe and I think that is something we should be aiming for. It is going to be tough as established top-six sides such as Connah’s Quay and Cardiff Met look strong again, and Cefn Druids signed Dean Rittenberg this week so they are investing their European money into making sure they stay in that position.

“The important thing is that we continue to do the right things, get out win percentage up and hopefully that will be enough to see us do well.”