By Martin Morgan

Last updated 12:49, Friday, 28 November 2008

Former skipper Andrew Beattie warned that a re-shaped Workington Town will be expected to deliver next season after a disappointing campaign last term.

Andrew Beattie

And with a string of their new recruits on show in Town’s opening pre-season friendly against the Australian Fijians on Sunday (3pm kick-off), he wants the team to lay down an early marker for the 2009 campaign.

“There’s a bit of a job to do as it was not a great performance last season. There will be a bit more expectation to perform to a higher standard,” said the Aussie, above, one of the club’s overseas quota stars, who has returned to Town after helping Barrow earn promotion to NL1 last season.

“The new lads are starting to gel quite well, and they are good blokes. It’s like the last time I was at the club.

“All I can do is try my best. I think I’m a better player having gone to Barrow and learned a few things.

“I’m probably a bit mentally tougher than a few years ago. I hate to lose and don’t like not performing. When that happens, I’m hard on myself, so I’m hoping this is a good year.

“I’m probably also a bit fitter as I’ve been doing a little more work on it, but that’s about it.”

Beattie, 27, played most of last season at full-back for Barrow but prefers centre, and he reckons Town, who finished eighth in League Two last season, should expect the unexpected on Sunday.

“Looking at the Fijian team in the World Cup, anything could happen,” he said. “They seem to throw the ball around and don’t play to a set structure.

“They play what they see, and it seems to work for them.”