YORK City Knights boss Richard Agar believes Sheffield Eagles are the team to beat in National League Two.

Several observers reckon the Knights will be up there given their squad strengthening over the closed season and Agar himself is confident the club has the capability to succeed.

But he has earmarked the Eagles as the pre-season favourites for promotion and says they have set the benchmark with their performances last season in topping the table and reaching the NL2 Grand Final.

"I'm a new head coach and you might get one or two other coaches trying to put a bit of pressure on by starting us as favourites," Agar told the Evening Press.

"But I'd say the template for how it's done has been laid by Sheffield.

"I think they're success last season was no accident. It was in the way they recruited, in the way they trained and in the way they were coached and it's laid a very good marker for others to follow.

"Dewsbury as well are coming down and they'll be hardened from playing at a higher level week in week out, and I can see a lot of difficult games throughout the campaign."

As for his Knights numbers, he added: "Only time will tell if it's the best squad in the division.

"We think we've got a competitive squad, though there are one or two areas where we would like to be a bit stronger.

"It's difficult to be pinning any sort of favouritism on anyone. We like to think we'll be very competitive but we need to see how well we gel as a team.

"I would say Sheffield are the team to beat after the year they had, finishing top of the table and just missing out in the Grand Final. They will have a steely resolve about getting things right this year."

Updated: 10:17 Monday, December 01, 2003