Andersen asks the fans to be patient this year
Hans Andersen believes Panthers should prepare for their toughest season in recent years.

The Danish skipper has appealed for the Peterborough faithful to be patient as the club adjust to life with a reduced team-building points limit and an influx of new faces.

There have been some extravagant statements of intent issued by members of the Panthers management during the winter.

Owner Colin Horton reckons his men will land the Elite League title and co-promoter Mick Bratley has promised the club will win at least one piece of silverware this season,

But Andersen insists the more modest target of reaching the play-offs for the fourth successive year should be the Panthers goal.

He said: "I am expecting a tough season because of the changes made to the sport in the winter.

"When the points limit was lowered we had to bring in a lot of new riders and always takes time for a team to gel together.

"But we have a side where all seven riders - myself included - should be able to boost our starting averages and that will be the secret to success.

"A team that is capable of improving during the season is usually one that will be involved in the title race.

"When we won the title back in 2006, six of our riders improved their averages through the year.

"Again we are full of potential for this year but it is vital we turn that into good performances. We have to aim to reach the play-offs but talking about winning the title is premature at this stage."

Andersen insists Panthers should not be alarmed if they suffer an unexpected slip-up in the early weeks of the campaign as new recruits Sam Simota, Morten Risager, Claus Vissing and Henrik Moller will need time to settle in.

And he feels the new early-season staging of the Craven Shield competition will provide the perfect introduction for them.

Andersen added: "We are not going to be successful overnight and the new riders might need a few meetings to get used to riding the Showground.

"That is why it is so good that we have a challenge against a lower league team tonight. It gives the new lads an opportunity to go out and score some points on the new track and could be a great confidence booster ahead of the season.

"I would ask the fans not to expect instant success and hope for miracles. If we suffer the odd setback early in the season it won't be the end of the world as far as I am concerned.

"The Craven Shield is a perfect way to start the season and I am much happier about having the competition in March.

"It has always seemed daft that we spend a whole season racing in a league and then have to start all over again in a new event."

Andersen feels the Elite League honours could be heading south.

The trophy has long resided in this neck of the woods with Panthers' 2006 triumph being sandwiched by successes for their relatively near neighbours Coventry in 2005 and 2007.

But Andersen believes that south coast clubs Poole and Eastbourne have the strongest line-ups on paper this year.

Andersen admitted: "Eastbourne look a strong team in my opinion. They have got a lot of Brits into their side and they all get a reduction on their average which makes them even stronger than they appear.

"Poole are another side a lot of people are talking about and in Chris Holder they have one of the biggest talents in the sport at the moment."