ANDY MORRISON insists that his Connah’s Quay Nomads players are thriving under the pressure of expectation.

Nomads enjoyed another memorable summer as they knocked Scottish Premiership outfit Kilmarnock out of the Europa League, before losing to Partizan Belgrade, who will face Manchester United in the group stages of the competition.

Since then, Nomads are unbeaten on the domestic scene, winning three and drawing three of their six outings, while also securing a Scottish Challenge Cup fourth round place, where they face Partick Thistle.

Given their summer heroics, and the fact that they pushed The New Saints for the league title for the majority of last term, all eyes are on Nomads this season - something Morrison believes is bringing the best out of his players.

“I will back my players all day if they are up and I see the intensity and desire,” said Morrison.

“They know the accolades that they’ve been given for the European games and the Scottish Challenge Cup, so the expectation levels are high and they need to rise to that - and they want to.

“I can see it in them that they want to challenge themselves every week and they do not want to sit down and be beaten by anyone.

“If the boys keep their standards high, keep that fire in their belly then we will be a very, very difficult team to beat.”

Next up for Nomads is a trip to Newtown tonight, Chris Hughes’ Robins heading into the clash on the back of a 1-0 home win over Bala, which Morrison watched.

“It always is a tough game,” said the Nomads boss ahead of this evening’s trip to Latham Park.

“Chris and his staff always have them up for games, they are always difficult opposition and they are never easy games, they are tight games where key moments decide the outcome. We will have to be really up for it.”

Priestley Farquharson, right, could return to the Nomads starting XI in place of George Horan, who was sent-off in last week’s 4-1 victory over Aberystwyth Town.

Nomads are third in the table, one point and a place behind reigning champions The New Saints, who head to Carmarthen Town tomorrow afternoon.