AFC Wimbledon are generally better away than at home, but it will be a new test after walking out of the tunnel at Walsall on Saturday – a team which narrowly missed out on promotion to the Championship last season.

Let’s hope our away-day magic has not been lost in the lift up to the next level.

Pre-season has given cause for cautious optimism. Impressive displays against Championship-side Reading and FA Cup finalists Crystal Palace indicate there is little need for anxiety.

Whatever happens at the Bescot stadium tomorrow, the season will not be won or lost.

Momentum will be on our side, but drawing conclusions after the first game will be futile.

There will be good and bad days, but we now have enough trust in Neal Ardley and his management team to be sure he can fix whatever might be broken.

We won’t have an idea of where our "natural place" in the league is going to be until October at the earliest, and even then we know how runs of form – good or bad – can come out of nowhere.

Of course the biggest question will be that of Ardley’s preferred starting XI.

Ryan Clarke will likely start in goal, with the back-line more than likely featuring Barry Fuller, Paul Robinson, Darius Charle and Jon Meades.

It’s hard to see why this would change.

Richmond and Twickenham Times:

Defensive rock: Darius Charles is likely to start at the back alongside Paul Robinson, Barry Fuller and Jon Meades

Midfield will be interesting, with the likes of Danny Bulman, Jake Reeves, Chris Whelpdale, Dean Parrett and Andy Barcham all vying for starting places.

It will also be interesting to see who starts alongside Lyle Taylor. Tom Elliot has started firing and Dominic Poleon seems very net-happy.

The squad has evolved nicely over the summer, and we know what our players are capable of.

Still, there’s a wall to climb this year, and it starts at Walsall.