DARRYL Van de Velde is happier with his squad this season than last but feels that a top three Super League VI finish is probably out of the question.

He said: "The top three all seem to isolate themselves but we go into the competition very optimistic.

"Fourth or fifth is probably going to be the position we are looking at finishing.

"However, the teams below us have also strengthened. London and Hull have bought a number of international players.

"Because of introducing the new players it may take us a while to gel."

Van de Velde criticised the league structure which sees the Wolves play the five sides above them three times this year because Wolves finished in sixth position last season.

He said: "At some stage someone has to realise the season has to be split up differently.

"The way it is structured now makes it difficult for teams who finish fourth, fifth and sixth.

"I would prefer to play every team three times and have a longer season."

Van de Velde seemed most satisfied with the depth and also the versatlity of the squad that he has assembled, which has seen 10 players leave and six come in.

He said: "We have brought in a lot more experienced players than the ones we have lost.

"Kevin Walters comes from a winning franchise. With Steve Georgallis, Marty Masella and Kevin we have heaps of experience and David Kidwell is an international."

The big man feels at last satisfied that competition in the squad will breed for success.

He said: "It's the first time while I have been here that the backs have been under pressure.

"They have been used to going in to the changing rooms each week and picking up their jerseys so this year they are going to have to play for their positions.

"We have a lot more depth this year but credit must also go to the kids coming through like the Woods, the Gleesons and the Alsteads.

"They came through at the back end of last year and equitted themselves very well."

Van de Velde picked out the modern day all-round attributes that players need and compared it to his squad.

He said: "Steve Georgallis' versatility typifies our squad.

Because of the squads other teams have and the number of games we play over here, being able to play just one position is not enough.

"It is important that as a player you can handle playing a number of different positions at the top level."

The players returned from a week's training camp with the Army on Monday and fly to Lanzarote for warm-weather training on January 25.

Their opposition for the Silk Cut Challenge Cup is announced that week and depending on who they draw a trial game may be organised.

Andrew Gee's shoulder injury is recovering well and although he will miss the first couple of rounds of the Challenge Cup he will be fit for the first game of Super League against Wigan.

Warrington may lose Jerome Guisset for up to six weeks if France head off to play in New Zealand in the summer.

Van de Velde said that although he would prefer him not to go he would not stand in the way of a player representing their country.