STEVE Jenkins hopes Town officials can deliver a Premiership pre-season friendly after admitting last season's warm-up games were simply not up to scratch.

The 33-year-old believes the team suffered as a result, although he's adamant it is not a case of inventing excuses after the event.

Jenkins is already looking forward to the 2006-07 campaign having been offered a fresh 12-month contract by manager Iffy Onuora.

And far from being nervous ahead of learning his fate, the experienced campaigner was quite relaxed.

He said: "What will be, will be, won't it? I'd spoken to the manager on a few occasions, we get on well and I was happy to stay.

"I've only been away from the place a couple of days and I'm already looking forward to next year.

"I want to help us bounce back and bounce back quickly.

"Attitude and mental strength are going to be so, so important when it comes to that wet Tuesday night in Rochdale.

"And we need to start strongly."

The start' includes the period before a competitive ball has been kicked in anger.

Jenkins hopes some testing pre-season fixtures will be arranged to that end.

Town's warm-up games ahead of the relegation campaign saw them travel to the likes of Aylesbury United, Bideford and Taunton.

Jenkins said: "I think we did suffer last year because we hadn't played anyone from a higher league or even another Football League club before we went to Barnsley for the first match.

"You know non-league sides will work hard but maybe it's about you being tested 100 per cent.

"When you play a Premiership side you know you could be in a for a chasing if you're not absolutely at the top of your game.

"You come off the pitch really having got something out of it.

"So hopefully something will be sorted out and we have some tough games."

Manager Iffy Onuora said: "I think we are looking at trying to set something up for Saturday July 29 at the County Ground but nothing is confirmed at this stage.

"And as for confirming other fixtures, we're working on that but some clubs are still involved in the play-offs for example."

Meanwhile, tickets for Tuesday's fans forum at the County Ground are now available from the club's box office.