TREVOR Senior finds it difficult to put his finger on why Bridport have been the Western League Premier Division’s Jekyll and Hyde club over the last couple of seasons.

Two terms ago the Bees struggled up until the turn of the year before going on an excellent run towards the end of the campaign.

Last time out it was the complete opposite – Senior’s men were pushing for a top-five position as they approached the festive period, then it all went downhill in the second half of the season.

If Senior can pinpoint anything to account for his side’s inconsistency it would be confidence and potency in front of goal.

Bridport start their Premier Division programme at Bristol Manor Farm on Saturday (3pm) afternoon, facing a team who, according to Senior, are going to be in the mix for the title come next April.

And the St Mary’s Field boss knows the Bees will need to have their shooting boots on if they want to take anything from their opening fixture.

Looking back over recent seasons, he told Echosport: I can’t really put my finger on why things have gone like they have in the last two years.

“When pitches have got heavy in the past we have tended to struggle, but the weather wasn’t that bad last season so we can’t really use that as an excuse.

“A lot of it is confidence and being confident. When we have had bad runs in the past then heads have gone down.

“I’ve also said before that taking your chances when they come makes things so much easier because you are then on the front foot.

“Sometimes if we go behind early in games we have struggled.”

He added: “I think we’re stronger defensively now with people like Sam Buckler, Alan Hill and Darren Watts in the squad.

“Ryan Dovell is back and Chris Senior is going to be able to play more and they are both strong lads.

“We have lost Jamie Filkins, Dan Wise, Matt Morley and Rhys Hayter but Jamie Beasley has come in and Dan Peach has been a great addition for us.”

One of the busiest men at the club at the moment is physio Lloyd Green.

Bridport have been unlucky in picking up several injuries during an otherwise positive pre-season.

Sean Stewart is set to be a long-term absentee with ankle and knee ligament damage, while Shane Evans, Watts, Chris Clarke (all groin) and Hill (ankle) are all nursing knocks.

Nevertheless, Senior is still expecting a better finish than the 14th his charges managed last season.

“When I was here before, about 15 years ago, we finished eighth, and that was the highest the club had finished for about 20 years.

“I’d like to finish in the top eight this season, it would be great if we could do that, but you never know who is going to do what in this league.

“It looks like Gillingham will be strong, Bradford Town have made a few signings, and I think Bristol Manor Farm and Buckland Athletic will be challenging.”

Meanwhile, Shaun Annetts begins his first season in charge of Bridport Reserves in the Dorset Premier League.

Annetts has taken over the reins from Robin Townsend, who led the Bees to 10th place in the league last season before stepping down as manager.