WASPS gaffer Jack Ross says his men are not phased by being dubbed as title favourites for League One in the new season.

The 40-year-old boss has turned a few heads this summer with his swift business in the transfer market, but he insists the only pressure on his players comes from their own hunger to go and win games.

The squad got back to work for pre-season last week and the manager hopes they can maintain the high standards they have produced already.

Ross told Advertiser sport: “Being dubbed as title favourites is not something I take much notice of because we have so many other things to focus on. There is an expectation from within our group now to deliver this season so any external pressure shouldn't really matter. I have told the players that the only time in football you should feel pressure is what they put upon themselves to perform well and win. I have players in my dressing room who are determined to win, but I think being made favourites is maybe just recognition of the signings we have made this summer. I think we have brought in the right players, but now it is up to us to go and produce on the pitch.

“I was looking forward to getting the squad together for pre-season and the players haven't let me down. They have all came back in really good condition and I think they recognise the quality within the group and they have responded to that. The quality of the surface has undoubtedly helped with our training and we can't wait to play the first game on it now.

“The sessions we have had to this point have all been terrific and I have been delighted with them, but they have set standards now that they must look to produce consistently throughout the season. Everything around the club is positive now and it is just about making sure we transfer that onto the pitch now. ”

Alloa Athletic have been handed a tricky start to their league One campaign at home to Peterhead before travelling to face Stranraer at Stairs Park a week later, but Ross reckons there is not much between the majority of the sides in the division which should make for an exciting season.

He said: “It is certainly not an easy start for us in the league, but the one thing I thought when I looked through the fixtures was that the competitive nature of this league is incredible. I don't think at the moment I could pick out fixtures that are easier or more difficult than any other, and while that may change over the course of the season, at the moment there is an awful lot of evenly matched teams within the league.

“We start against two teams who had successful seasons last year as they both made the playoffs and I am sure their aim will be to go one better this time around. It is going to be interesting this year with all the Betfred Cup games before that, but certainly the league is the one everyone is most looking forward to.”

The former St Mirren and Clyde defender is hoping the combination of a level playing field in League One against sides similar to themselves along with the new high tech pitch at the Indodrill can help them to make their home ground a difficult venue for teams to visit once again this season.

Ross added: “We spoke last season about the need to correct the home form. I think we did that in terms of performances without us maybe getting the results. We started to become difficult to beat here. This season will be very different in terms of the fact that we will not have to be on the back foot for so long in the majority of games.

“The surface is also vastly different, it is back to full size again and so that is something that we must look to capitalise on and be more positive in games here. We have never made excuses about the surface here even if other teams might have, but the players are definitely enjoying playing on the new pitch because it is top class.”