Coach Lee Crooks believes honesty is the best policy as he leads his York Wasps team into the new Northern Ford Premiership season.

The former Great Britain prop forward is refusing to make any wild predictions ahead of Sunday's big kick-off against Doncaster Dragons.

Instead he has set realistic targets which should ensure a mid-table position come the end of the season.

In addition to the big-spending Dragons, the Wasps also face play-off favourites Hull Kingston Rovers and Keighley Cougars before the Boxing Day showdown at home to Hunslet.

Looking at those opening games, Crooks admitted: "If we get to Boxing Day and we had two points I'd be happy. There is no point saying that I expect to have six points from six.

"We're a new team coming together. We have got some experience there but also a lot of inexperience. If we knuckle down and build on what we've done already, and iron out the inadequacies we've got in our game, then there's no reason why come Boxing Day we can't be on the board.

"The games that I'm looking to get points from are the teams that are around us. We need to be taking points off the likes of Hunslet, Batley, Chorley, Workington and Whitehaven.

"If we can get any sort of result out of the games against the big sides like Widnes, Doncaster, Leigh and Keighley then that's a bonus."

Crooks has set the team a target of winning half their matches this season which he says is "not unachieveable". That would lay the foundations to build for the future.

"We have certainly got a squad capable of winning half our games, if we can get the majority of players out there," said Crooks. "I think we're in a similar situation to the nucleus of the division.

"I'd like to think we've got a team that can compete with the secondary bunch. The main thing is to get some stability in the club. If we get a team that will be competitive and win some games then we can build on that for next season."

The Wasps boss is looking for certain players, particularly among the more experienced bunch, to set the example this season. And he hopes their influence can help bring some of the younger players through.

He said: "I'm looking at the likes of Andy Hill in the back row that can really make a mark in this division.

"Michael Smith is one stand-out person that I'd think could really stamp his authority on the NFP, as can Gareth Stephens and Darren Hughes. If they can keep injury free they can make a mark for themselves.

"Then you look at Gareth Lloyd. He had a good game at the weekend (against Gateshead) and if he continues to improve he could take some stopping.

"Matt Mulholland is a young player that needs to work very hard on his game but if his ability can match his enthusiasm and commitment he'll do alright."