SIX out of ten. That’s what Andy Morrison would mark Connah’s Quay Nomads start to the Welsh Premier League season.

Nomads are second in the table following four wins from six matches, including a 1-0 success over reigning champions and current leaders The New Saints.

But Morrison knows that there is more to come from his side, explaining: “There is so much we can improve on.

“We have been six out of ten this season so far and we’ve won games when we were very good as well as when we weren’t so good, we’ve been workman-like and we’ve capitalised on small margins where we’ve been able to.

“I’ve said all along that we’re not firing anywhere near where I want us to be. I’m not worried at all, because the last three performances in particular have been decent, but for the standards that we need to get to, to challenge and put pressure on TNS.

“We can absolutely get there, but it takes a lot of training ground work, being a little bit sharper and more clinical in the final third.

“I’m content with where we are, but far from happy with how things have gone so far, because we’ve got a lot more to work on.”

Nomads make their way to Llandudno tomorrow night for a televised encounter that Morrison knows will be a tough test.

Llandudno are eighth in the table, but only four points adrift of Nomads, something Morrison is all too aware of.

Morrison, who saw his side beat Newtown 3-1 last week courtesy of goals from Jay Owen, Ryan Wignall and Callum Morris, said: “The margins are even tighter this year, teams are becoming a lot savvier and a lot more streetwise, teams are learning how to protect leads and capitalise on small details, very much like we have been doing for the last 18 months really, and the league is definitely going in the right way.

“I’ve heard of other managers saying that they feel this will be the year with the highest points total for relegation and the lowest for Europe, and I’d agree with that completely.

“Nobody has been set adrift, everybody seems to have the ability to win a couple of games on the bounce off the back of a tough defeat, and that makes it so much more competitive, which can only be good for the league.”

Nomads will be looking to avoid the sort of TV upset Manchester City suffered on Wednesday when the club’s players and staff were at the Etihad as Lyon won 2-1.

Mike Hayes wants Bala Town to end their away day hoodoo in style at The New Saints tonight.

The Lakesiders have lost all three of their matches on the road this season, a far cry from their home form, which has brought about four straight league and cup wins.

Hayes, who scored a fine goal in the 3-2 loss at Aberystwyth last weekend, wants to right those wrongs, saying: “We really need to kick-start the season now.

“We are doing well at home and we just need to get ourselves right on the road.

“It’s going to be tough, but we will step up and give them a game.”

Saints boss Scott Ruscoe is wary of the threat posed by visiting Bala, but is confident they can continue their four-game winning run.

“Bala are a team that can hurt you when you don’t play like we did (against Llanelli) or against Aberystwyth,” said Ruscoe. “They’ve always had good players and they’ve got a decent squad to call on.

“We are wary of them, we know what they can do, but we are at home and we will be looking for another three points.”

Aberystwyth boss Nev Powell knows tomorrow’s trip to Carmarthen won’t be easy, but is confident his side have what it takes to build on their Bala success.

Powell said: “It will be just as tough down there, but there is a confidence and fire in the bellies of the players.”

Elsewhere, Caernarfon Town entertain basement outfit Llanelli tomorrow, while Cardiff Met make their way to Newtown.