Anthony Barness insists Lewes can defy the odds in a historic season for the club.

The Rooks are the bookies’ favourites for relegation in their debut season in Blue Square premier.

Having lost their manager and virtually all of the squad from last year’s Blue Square south title-winning campaign, nobody is giving Lewes a chance of survival.

But Barness, the only regular from last season to remain at the club, believes they can cause a surprise as long as they stick together.

The 35-year-old former Charlton, Chelsea, Middlesbrough and Bolton defender admits they have a tough season ahead but has seen signs in pre-season that there is hope for the future.

Barness said: “It will be very hard. When we played Havant last weekend, we got a taste of the best Conference south has to offer because they are the favourites for the title. It stepped up the physical side of the game for us and we can take confidence that we coped with them.

“We created chances and restricted them to little. Physically they were a lot bigger than us but we battled with them and didn’t give over on that ground. We can take a lot from that into this season.

“It is going to be very physical. We know we have players who can play football but we have got to match up to that and I think we have the capability of doing it.

“It is all about everyone realising we are playing as a team for the team. It is not about individuals standing out. It is nice when they do but the main thing is we play as a team.

“If we do that and keep that in everyone’s heads we will be all right because that has served us well in pre-season.”

Barness deciding to re-sign was the turning point of what had been a miserable summer for Lewes fans.

As players departed left, right and centre following the club’s decision to get rid of previous manager Steven King, a dark cloud hung over the Dripping Pan.

But within a week of Barness agreeing to stay, experienced duo Scott Taylor and Danny Cullip had signed and suddenly the mood changed a little.

Barness admits he seriously considered his future but is happy with his decision to stay.

He said: “At first I thought a few of the players (from last year) might stay and we would have something to build on. As it went on it became apparent that wasn’t the case.

“But I enjoyed my time last year, I went training – which started quite early for a pre-season – and I saw the players there who potentially were going to sign. At the time they hadn’t signed but what I saw was good and I thought I fancied staying and seeing how good they could be.

“We have signed some players with experience and we have taken a lot of confidence from what we have done in pre-season.

“A lot of people were getting on our backs and saying we would be a laughing stock but I just wanted to keep out of the politics and decide what was right for me.

“I live close by, I had a good time last year and had no reason why I wanted to leave, especially when I saw the players who were going to sign.”

Barness will line-up in a three-man defence at Kidderminster tomorrow