ANDY MORRISON wants to see Connah’s Quay Nomads “explode” against “damaged animal” Aberystwyth Town tonight.

Nomads currently top the table after following up a 7-0 thumping of Llanelli with a 1-0 home success over reigning champions The New Saints on Sunday.

In contrast, Aberystwyth followed up their opening weekend success over Llandudno with a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Cardiff Met.

Morrison believes that result will make Nev Powell’s visiting side a dangerous opponent.

He said: “It will be a game against a very, very damaged animal.

“I went to the game last Friday night and Aberystwyth will be a lot better than what they were then.

“We’ve got to prepare and make sure the intensity, the quality, the desire, the aggression, the anger and everything else is right and when the whistle blows we explode on to the pitch.”

Ominously for Aberystwyth, hosts Nomads are yet to concede a goal this season, something Morrison is rightly proud after another summer of defensive disruption.

The ex-Manchester City captain said: “I don’t get credit as a coach for what we do at the football club.

“From the minute I came into the club to the end of the season we had the best defensive record. We then lost Paul Linwood, Chris Rimmer and Kevin McIntyre.

“We went into the following season and had the best defensive record. At the end of the season we lost Lewis Short, John Disney and Wes Baynes.

“We then went into last season and we had the best defensive record. This season we’ve lost Kai Edwards, Mike Pearson and Sean Smith and we’ve had back-to-back clean sheets.

“It speaks volumes about what I’m about as a coach and what I bring to the table.

“Like I say to the lads, just trust me. Trust me when I talk about the small distances and the detail in where you have to be out of possession and the heart and desire to get back in. If you give me that, teams won’t break us down.”

Former Nomads boss Powell, meanwhile, is confident his Aberystwyth side will be better at the back after their heavy loss to Cardiff Met.

“When you play Cardiff Met, TNS and Connah’s Quay Nomads, results against them aren’t going to determine where you finish,” he said. But we go to Connah’s Quay and we will definitely defend better than we did and see what we get out of the game.”

Scott Ruscoe is adamant that The New Saints will be crowned champions at the end of the 2018/19 season.

Saints were dealt an early blow when they lost 1-0 at Connah’s Quay Nomads on Sunday, but Ruscoe is unconcerned about that defeat.

Ruscoe’s men lost their first game of last season to Bangor City before being crowned champions by 14 points.

Ahead of tomorrow’s home encounter with Carmarthen Town, Ruscoe declared: “At the end of the season we will be top of the league and winners, no doubt about it.

“It’s just a little hiccup, but we will go again.”

All eyes will be on tonight’s televised encounter between Llanelli and visiting Barry Town United.

The duo both claimed dramatic 3-2 wins last week as Llanelli scored in stoppage time to triumph at Cefn Druids having been 2-0 down and Barry defeated Bala Town.

Barry boss Gavin Chesterfield is relishing the occasion against his former club.

He said: “Llanelli, Stebonheath Park and under the lights? Great.”

Newtown are looking to follow up last week’s 2-0 success over Caernarfon by beating hosts Llandudno tomorrow.

Llandudno are yet to win this season after following up a 1-0 loss at Aberystwyth with a goalless draw at Caernarfon.

With regard to last week’s success, Newtown boss Chris Hughes said: “It is a result we have had to grind out and we will take that into next week and look to build against Llandudno.”

Cardiff Met host Caernarfon on Sunday looking to continue their perfect start to the season.