Head Coach Harry Kewell says Reds should relish their return to the Broadfield Stadium on Saturday, when we take on Stevenage in the first home Sky Bet League 2 game of the season.
HK believes the newly-laid pitch at the Broadfield should encourage his side to play the passing game he preaches.
He said: “The rain we’ve had this week should make the pitch a bit faster, and that should encourage my boys to get the ball down and pass it.
“I thought we did that well in stages of the game at Cheltenham last Saturday and the challenge now is for us to do it again, at home in front of our own supporters, and play the type of entertaining football which the players enjoy and the fans should hopefully enjoy watching.”
But he is also aware of the threat posed by a Stevenage side who began the season with a 2-2 draw at home to Tranmere last Saturday.
“There are no easy games in League 2 – we saw some surprise results last Saturday and I think this year the division is going to be extremely competitive again,” added Harry.
“Stevenage are a bit like us. They have changed quite a few players in the summer and sometimes it takes a bit of time to settle a new squad down. But they’ve got good League 2 experience in there and they will work extremely hard.
“It’s up to us to match that work-rate and to impose ourselves as the home side.”
Reds have no fresh injury worries ahead of Saturday’s game with only Jimmy Smith (knee) still sidelined.
