TNS boss Scott Ruscoe believes his side will be ready for revenge against Cardiff Metropolitan on Monday as the Oswestry side look to gain momentum in the JD Cymru Premier.

TNS were beaten 4-1 this time last year as the Archers ran riot in the capital against a Saints side at the start of a mid-season slump.

Despite falling at the first hurdle in the Tunnocks Caramel Wafer Cup for a second successive season last weekend the Saints manager remained upbeat.

“We’re still in three competitions and we have to move on where we have a little period,” said Ruscoe.

“We’ve got Cardiff Met at the weekend and we got hammered there last year, which is in the back of my mind, so we’re well-prepared for this one.

“You’ve always got to reflect and look forward to see if we’re making the right selections and whether the players are hungry enough.

“You have to test them but it showed last week against Stenhousemuir that we played with 10 men for so long and pulled a goal back with minutes left. We haven’t really got going.”

Ruscoe felt his side had not hit the ground yet this season and finding a level of consistency was the aim.

“We ended last season so well with so many positive results in a row, ending up winning the Welsh Cup and where we exactly wanted to be.

“We started off Europe well too, especially against the Kosovans and the two games against FC Copenhagen, I thought we did as well as we could do.

“That sent us into the domestic season on a high, but we’ve sort of sneaked over the line in a couple of game and had to come from behind against Penybont.

“We had the great victory over Aberystwyth but it’s been a bit up and down for me.

“We’re going into games not knowing if we’re going to dominate or not.”