ALBION Sports’ star Aran Basi has revealed the secrets behind his side’s fast start to the current season.

The Bradford side have won their opening NCEL Premier Division fixtures, while they have also progressed in the FA Vase and have reached the first qualifying round of the FA Cup for the first time in the club’s history.

Ahead of their FA Cup tie at Brighouse Town today, Basi expressed his delight with how Albion have started the campaign.

Speaking to the T&A, he gave his thoughts on Rizwan Mohammed’s rejuvenated side, when he said: “It’s been a very positive start for us so far and my feeling is that it has come from the strong pre-season we had.

“I’m also sensing a change in mentality within the team this year because we are constantly kept on our toes, as we have a big squad of around 22 to 25 players. Only 16 players can be picked for the matchday squad, so I think the level of performance has been raised by every player to ensure they keep their shirt. It’s definitely healthy competition.”

The fact Albion are winning consistently so far this season has also given renewed confidence to Basi and his teammates.

He said: “Winning games breathes confidence into any side, no matter what level you’re playing at. The more games you win, the more momentum you’re going to have as a group and that’s how we are feeling currently.

“We’ve played six games in all competitions and we’ve won five and drawn one, and we are getting clean sheets amongst those victories too. We are growing as a group, the momentum is building and we are continuing to take each game as it comes, so we are feeling good about ourselves.”

Three players who are playing with confidence are forwards Lewis Waddington, Robbie Fox and Eivind Johnsen, and with the trio in red-hot scoring form, Basi was full of praise for them.

He said: "Robbie Fox and Lewis Waddington are young lads, so it's been key for them to get that experience over the past couple of seasons. They're now really coming into their own and are scoring a lot of goals, and a lot of big goals for that matter. Robbie has already matched his total from the whole of last season and you can see that he's improving with every game. It's his 2nd season in the NCEL now and it's certainly showing.

"Lewis is another young lad and he's a confidence player. When he's fully confident and feels like he's loved, then that's when he performs at his best. He's got five in his last two games and we have all been impressed with the start he's made to the season. Also, Eivind, who came from Norway, is settling into this side really well and contributing with a number of goals. All three of them are providing us with a real goal-threat."

Albion take on Brighouse Town today in the first round of FA Cup qualifying and it's a test that Basi is looking forward to.

He said: "This will be our biggest challenge so far this season because of where they are in terms of their league (Northern Premier League). They've made some great signings and are performing well in their own division, so we are expecting a tough test, but it's a test we are looking forward to.

"It's the furthest Albion Sports has come in their history in the FA Cup, so we'll take on this challenge with open arms and take each game as it comes. We are confident that we can make it through to the next round."