VIKINGS kick off their Super League season against one-time bogey side Wakefield Trinity on Sunday – and Kevin Brown believes a good start is key to a crucial campaign.

In a division that has seen all clubs recruit extensively, the battle for top eight spots will be keenly fought with Vikings determined to be in that mix.

For that to happen Vikings have to go to places like Belle Vue and win, and buoyed by their last pre-season win at Saints it is something they aim to do.

Skipper Kevin Brown said: “It is always important that you get off to a good start more than anything for the league position.

“Mentally we are strong as a group so there would be no panic stations if we do lose a couple, but we are going out there to win our first game and kick on from that.

“If we do that we are confident of having a good year.”

He dismissed the pundits who have already put Vikings at the bottom of the pile, believing the new recruits will give them a cutting edge they have lacked in previous years.

“Plenty have tipped us to be out of the eight and some reckon we will finish bottom – that is their opinion, I am more than confident that this is the best group I have been around since I have been at Widnes.

“We have some genuine quality and match-winners in the back line, and we have some big boppers too.

“There are no excuses from my side because we have good roster,” he said.

The strength of the backline will take some of the pressure off halves Brown and Joe Mellor to conjure up all the killer plays.

Now they have strike weapons on both sides of the field, he expects Vikings' attack to be more potent.

“There was always a lot of pressure on me to produce try after try but the beauty now is that we can throw the ball to Joe Mellor and wide to Setaimata Sa and make something happen on that right edge.

“Then that filters back to me and I throw it to Charley Runciman who makes something happen down the left.

“We have a team that is balanced throughout, with points all over the field and a mixture of power and pace in the backs,” Brown said.