New Avenue manager Simon Collins is looking to the strikers in his pre-season squad to prove their worth and earn a deal for the coming campaign.

Avenue scored just twice in their first three fixtures and although two of the games were against higher-ranking opposition – one a near full-strength side from Collins’ former club Huddersfield Town – the Horsfall boss is demanding more.

The first game was a tame 2-0 win over Durham City and that was followed by a 3-0 defeat to the Terriers, before Avenue went down 2-0 at home to Blue Square North outfit Droylsden last Saturday.

Collins and his coaches have worked with the squad on the training ground this midweek and he said: “We have to be making more of the balls we are getting into the box because I’ve been pleased with the service into the area.

“I have told the players that they need to be challenging for everything, putting themselves about and to be more determined. They have to be prepared to get there first and not bother about getting a clip on the heel or a knock in the back for their trouble.

“Once these chances are created, you need players in the right places who are prepared to put their foot through the ball. It’s all very well passing neatly and taking up these positions but you can’t be too nice when you are there, you have to be clinical.”

Collins had to find a new strike-force as last season’s pairing of Aiden Savory and Chris Hall had both decided to move on. The new manager targeted Tom Greaves, whom he had managed previously at Ossett Town and is also an Avenue old boy, and successfully signed him.

At the moment two former Bantams strikers, who showed much promise in their early years at Valley Parade, are under consideration, with Kevin Sanasy and David Brown playing in the three games so far.

Collins would probably like to keep them both to add to Greaves and David Heagney, who was captured from Scottish League club St Johnstone. But with money tight, the squad has to be as well.

“We will see who we end up with but Heags and Tom are already our players and we have tried the system of going with one striker and Rob O’Brien linking in from midfield,” said Collins.

“I think that suits the players we have and it will also get more out of Rob than last year because he has the quality and the effort needed for that role. If it works it means we don’t have to be overloaded with forwards.”