CHIPPENHAM Town manager Mark Collier aims to establish a more ruthless attack to go alongside his side’s robust defence as he looks to kick on from a solid start to the new season.

Saturday’s home game against Braintree Town will mark four weeks since the 2019-20 National League South campaign got under way.

The Bluebirds have played seven times since August 3, registering two wins, three draws and two defeats for nine points.

Although the four goals conceded by Chippenham is the fewest in the league, they are the second bottom scorers with just five strikes.

Collier has been pleased with his side’s start to the season overall but believes they are a couple of points down on where their performances warrant.

The Bluebirds boss is therefore eager for his team to up their productivity in front of goal to ensure they get the results they deserve.

“It has been a solid start to the season,” said Collier, whose side went fell to a 1-0 loss at Hampton & Richmond Borough on Bank Holiday Monday.

“We need to dust ourselves down from Monday’s disappointment and go again on Saturday.

“Defensively, we have been sound and solid. Our goalkeeper, Will Puddy, didn’t have a lot to do on Monday even though we conceded.

“I think we maybe need to be a bit a more of a threat going forwards.

“We have a lot of the ball but maybe we need to work on what we do in the final third a little bit.

“It has been a solid start in a very competitive division.

“I think we are maybe two or three points short of where we should be but that is the league we are in. It is unforgiving and difficult.

“Our home form has been very promising so we need to make sure we maintain that against Braintree this weekend.”

Braintree will travel to Hardenhuish Park on Saturday boasting an identical record to Chippenham, with nine points from the opening seven games.

The Essex side were playing a tier higher in the National League last season and have managed to keep a large chunk of that squad together for their drop down.

Therefore, Collier expects a tough test for his side this weekend, but sees no reason why they cannot keep up their early-season unbeaten home record.

“Braintree are a very good footballing side who like to play from the back and through the thirds,” said Collier.

“They managed to retain a lot of players who got relegated from the National League last year. They almost stayed up too – they weren’t a team who got blown away.

“They will be very competitive and, by their own admission, they want to be back in the National League.

“But we are at home, so we need to get on the front foot and hopefully add to our points tally.”