THE DREAM IS NOW

That will hold Town in good stead in the Premier League, with Town’s ability to score last-gasp goals a valuable knack that cannot be taught.

The Premier League is a strange competition and can almost be divided into two categories: the top six and the rest.

I don’t expect Town to break into the top six - nor do I expect Everton, West Ham or Southampton to do so.

The money at the top end of the league has made Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal untouchable, but the rest of the Mel Booth reckons it’s exciting to have Tom Ince here in the prime of his career and is confident David Wagner will bring the best out of the talented 25-year-old teams in English football’s top flight could finish anywhere.

And I don’t see a chasm in quality between Town and sides such as Swansea, Watford and West Brom.

One thing that could make the difference, however, is this ‘Terrier Spirit’ - the character Town showed last season.

Not all teams can claim to have that mental belief and I can see Town fighting, scrapping and playing their way to Premier League safety this season, finishing a couple of places clear of the drop zone and causing a few upsets along the way. NEVER thought I’d see the day, but Town are in the Premier League and I’m going to enjoy it!

While it’s going to be far from easy, I expect David Wagner’s side to surprise the pundits this season and definitely stay up.

The head coach has made very astute-looking signings and strengthened in vital areas.

At the back, Mathias Jorgensen brings international, Champions League quality, while Scott Malone was the most outstanding attacking full-back against Town last season.

In midfield, Aaron Mooy was a great capture and I’m looking forward to seeing him direct operations at top level, while we know all about Kasey Palmer and Danny Williams for obvious reasons.

They are both players who will be keen to prove their worth on the biggest league stage of them all, as will Tom Ince.

It is exciting to think Ince is coming to spend the prime years of his career with Town and, while he has had his critics at previous clubs, he has already shown his goalscoring quality in pre-season.

I fully expect Ince to produce the best football of his career under Wagner, who will undoubtedly bring the best out of the talented 25-year-old.

Having lost Danny Ward, who so endeared himself to the Town faithful last season while on loan from Liverpool, the acquisition of loan goalkeeper Jonas Lossl appears cute.

Another young player determined to prove he’s worth the starting shirt and giving strong competition to Joel Coleman.

And up front, Town needed some power.

They seem to have got exactly that in Laurent Depoitre from Porto and Steve Mounie from Montpellier – so the squad looks sound and full of investments for the future.

Whatever happens, this is going to be a season to savour.

Town have the opportunity, with how the fixtures have fallen, to make a strong start, and that’s important.

But, given decent luck with injuries and decisions, I expect Town to defy the bookies and be playing Premier League again in 2018-19.