Agar thinks long-term

With 18 new signings, Agar is at the start of a rebuilding period at Wakefield, who are still awaiting the outcome of a public inquiry into their plans to build a new stadium.

The Wildcats were only guaranteed a future in Super League last July by the shock withdrawal of Crusaders and are not expected to challenge for a play-off spot this term.

"People will probably be tipping us for the bottom two and hopefully we can prove a lot of those people wrong," said Agar, who left Hull FC to replace John Kear as Wakefield coach.

Consistency

"It's probably not all about the here-and-now for us, given the difficult season or two that the club have endured.

"This year will be about trying to get some consistency and some consolidation, laying some foundations that will keep this side and this club moving forward for two or three seasons down the track."

Wakefield, 150/1 with the bookmakers to finish top of the table, kick off the Stobart Super League at newcomers Widnes on Friday week and Agar admits his new-look team may not be fully prepared by then.

"We've had limited build-up," he said. "If Widnes were behind the eight-ball coming into the competition when they did, we were probably snookered a bit behind them.

"The club went through a period of uncertainty and were rubber-stamped in the competition fairly late but, having said that, I'm quite happy with the squad.

"Being greedy, we'd like another week or two to get one or two things under our belt but we haven't got that.

"The training camp in France was a great exercise for us, to get the boys away and get them together on and off the field.

"We got a heap of work done and they could live in each other's pockets and get to know one another."

The Wildcats' newcomers include five overseas players in Issac John, Steve Southern, Dean Collis, Tim Smith and Paul Aiton, while full-back Richard Mathers was snapped up from Castleford on a season-long loan.

"There are opportunities for one or two players that perhaps weren't wanted at other clubs," Agar added. "We think we can be good for them and they can be really good for us.

Rookies

"We possess some very skilful players in our team. I think we have enough flair, talent and know-how to cause teams problems if we get an equal run of the ball.

"I take a lot of heart from the fact that we're not a team full of rookies, we've got a lot of experience and know-how.

"Of course with 18 new players and finding the style we want to play, we understand it is something that will only get better with time.

"We still feel that we're in a good enough position to get out there and give it a really good shake in round one."

One of the new faces, prop Andy Raleigh, sustained a rib injury in the Wildcats' friendly against Catalan Dragons. It came at the end of the club's training camp in Perpignan, but he is expected to be fit to face the Vikings.

Another front rower, Oliver Wilkes, who has rejoined the club from London Broncos, missed that match because of appendicitis but will be among a number of players vying for places in Sunday's final trial game at Batley.

"The team is almost selected," said Agar. "We've got five or six guys in the side against Batley that are vying for about four spots."