Harry Gurney is wary of Nottinghamshire's in-form opposition as Yorkshire visit Trent Bridge in the LV= County Championship starting tomorrow.
The 28-year-old enjoyed an encouraging start to the season, taking 6-119 in the opening fixture against Middlesex at Lord's - and he is hoping to continue that form against the reigning champions.
"If you take three wickets every innings you're going to have a pretty good season, so I'm pretty chuffed with the way things went at Lord's and happy to be contributing to the team," he said.
"The next challenge is against Yorkshire; they're county champions, they've just won by ten wickets against Worcestershire and we'll need to be right on our game to beat them.
"There's a lot being written and said about their England players being away, but you can't take them lightly because they have a very strong squad.
"If you look at the division, there are some very strong teams in it. It's probably the strongest division I've seen in my time as a cricketer so every game we play, we'll have to be right on our game to come away with as many points as we possible can."
Although the former Leicestershire man is enjoying his current role in the team, he accepts there will be a need to spend some time out of the side as the season progresses.
"We all know there's a lot of good bowlers around so there is competition for places but, at the same time, if you're going to win championships and compete in competitions from August onwards, you'll need bowlers to have been rotated and rested at the right times," he said.
"We've got a bowling group that's capable of doing that so hopefully we can avoid niggles, be fresh come August, push on and drive it home."
Another player enjoying his role in the team ahead of the visit of the county champions is Alex Hales.
The 26-year-old batsman is delighted to be batting at number three in the order and is gunning for revenge against a side that inflicted defeat on Nottinghamshire by an innings and 152 runs at Trent Bridge in 2014.
"It's a good team to start off against at home," he said.
"Yorkshire are one of the strongest sides in the country and we're keen to get our revenge after they beat us here last year, so the boys are pumped for it.
"What happened in that game fires me up, particularly because they are the champions as well and a very good team.
"Our squad is stronger than it was last year so we're confident."
Hales revealed he's had an eye on the number three slot since first playing for Nottinghamshire in 2008 and - after scoring 37 in the second innings of the match against Middlesex - the England limited-overs international believes a big score is just around the corner.
"I much prefer batting at three; it's something I've always wanted to do since joining the club," he said. "The plan is to stay there, but let's see what happens during the coming weeks.
"Middlesex bowled quite well at me and Will Gidman first thing in the morning so we had to work hard to get through that - and I'm not sure there was a lot I could have done about the way I got out; it was the only ball in the whole game that jumped off a length, so I was disappointed about that.
"But I feel in good touch so hopefully I can get a big one this week.
"It's always a tough challenge playing four day cricket and Yorkshire have got a strong bowling line-up, as have Middlesex who we just faced.
"As a batsman at the top of the order, you're always going to come up against those types of challenges and it's rewarding when you pull through.
"Our aim for the season is to keep focussing on ourselves and to play the cricket we're capable of playing. If we do that, there's no reason why we can't win it this year."
For live streaming of the game's first two days, text updates and ball-by-ball scorecard visit Trent Bridge Live.
There will be on-line ball-by-ball commentary of this and every other Nottinghamshire match this season, provided by BBC Radio Nottingham. Access the link via the BCC Sport website.
The excitement of the NatWest T20 Blast returns to Trent Bridge in May as Notts Outlaws hope to break the 10,000 barrier for the arrival of reigning champions Birmingham Bears on Friday 15 May.
Adult tickets are available at a special price of £10 and further discounts in place for under 16s (£5), under21s (£7) and senior citizens (£7) when buying in advance. Make Trent Bridge a firm fixture for your Friday nights and secure your seats now.