Skipper is encouraged by new faces and new flexibility as Caley Jags begin SPL countdown

Club captain Richie Foran feels Caley Thistle have more pace and more options in their squad for the new season. The Dubliner is impressed by the new faces and looking forward to Saturday's SPL opener against Motherwell at Fir Park.

"Our week in England worked out ideally and has us in the right mindset for Motherwell and the games beyond", says Richie."It was a great bonding experience which helped the new boys settle in and it helped the shape of the team. There were no distractions, we were able to focus fully on football and it was a really professional operation which has us all in good heart. Motherwell pipped us for a top six spot last season and they'll be very disappointed if they don't take three points on Saturday. But we're going down there to win and that would be a great start towards us reaching the top six this time, which has to be our target."

Fans favourite Foran acknowledges that manager Terry Butcher has mentioned a possible lack of experience. But Richie says: "We have Ross Tokely, Ryan Esson and myself who are seasoned campaigners and new boy Greg Tansey, though still only 22, is showing he's an old head on young shoulders. Greg reads the game very well and plays like someone much more experienced than he actually is. Andrew Shinnie is proving excellent, he's clever with quick feet and he can cause teams problems if he gets on the ball. What has struck me from our warm-up games is that we can now change our team shape more readily. We have brought in very good pace in the side. Tom Aldred gives height at the back while Gregory Tade, when he recovers from injury, offers us something very different up front with his height and strength."

Foran's leadership -- and his ability to conjure goals -- will be important to the Inverness campaign. Richie made 31 SPL starts last season and contributed 14 goals as well as his midfield drive and skill. He's convinced the three game unbeaten tour in England has helped set up Caley Jags for another good season. "There's genuine confidence in the squad, we're in good shape and we believe we can give a good account of ourselves", says Richie."It's no excuses -- top six is our aim."