On his former club Cardiff being the first visitors to the DW this season, Marshall said:

“They’ve added players who are experienced in this league and they haven’t lost too many of their big players, but you can never tell how the season is going to start.

“I’d be stunned if they’re not in the mix come the end of the season, but it’s probably a good time to face teams who have been relegated because we’re fit, ready and desperate to prove ourselves on the first day of the season.

“It’s a home fixture as well and we’ve had an extraordinary home record since the gaffer has been here. We were unbeaten against Everton and Burnley as well, so hopefully that confidence continues and we’re at it against Cardiff again.

“When the league takes shape after a few months, you tend to give teams a little bit more respect if they’re towards the top of the table, but on day one everybody is starting from scratch and there’s nothing to lose.

“We finished the season strongly and there’s no reason why we can’t continue that. The boys have had a great pre-season and we’ve only lost once in our warm up games. We’ve looked sharp and fit, and with the first game being at home, it gives us a really good chance.”

So how has David been settling into his new surroundings?

“It’s been great. It was a little bit later than I wanted to join a club in terms of training. The lads were back in June and I joined at the start of the second week in July, so I’ve just been playing a little bit of catch up.

“I played a couple of international games in the summer which was very helpful fitness wise, so I do feel up to speed now. It was good to get the Bradford City and Burnley games under my belt and now I feel like I’m ready.

“The lads have been great with me; it’s a good dressing room and the staff really have the boys well organised.”

You’ve joined the goalkeeping ranks alongside Jamie Jones and working with Nick Colgan, how’s the competition in the group?

“We’re both in the same boat. With one position up for grabs you just want to work hard every day and get the call to play.

“We both want to do our best for the club on a Saturday afternoon and whoever is given the chance today will do that.

“Jamie is a top keeper and he did really well in the games he played last season at an important time of the season. There’s no way you can rest on your laurels with someone of his quality in the goalkeeping group, but it’s up to the gaffer and we’ll support each other no matter who’s in the team.

“I’ve got to mention young Owen Evans as well because he’s been training so well during pre-season. It’s a great move for him to got to Macclesfield in League Two and it will do him the world of good getting that league experience.”

David Marshall | "We've got an extraordinary home record since the manager came in."