"Can we win the F.A.I. Cup ? Yes, can we win theLeague Cup and Setanta Cup ?, Yes, can we win theLeague ?, Yes, but it will be extremely difficult to do so,but we will give it a right go," declared Cook.

With eight new signings joining the Showgrounds setupfrom the off, the Rovers manager feels it will takesome time for the players to knit together and has issuedan early appeal to fans to be patient.

"It simply won't be a case of turning up and finding amagic formula that will be successful straight away.There are a lot of new faces here and some of them areactually going to sample the League of Ireland for thefirst time. Supporters have to get behind them from thestart and appreciate that they are finding their feet,"Cook said.

Iarfhlaith Davoren has joined from Galway United,Derek Foran and Gary McCabe from Bray Wanderers, Padraig Amond from ShamrockRovers, Paul Whelan from MonaghanUnited, Mark Doninger from BlythSpartans and ex-Crew Alexandraplayer, John Dillon, arrives after ayear out of football.Central defender Mauro Almeidaalso returns for a second stint at theShowgrounds.

"Anyone that knows me well willsay that I am a realist and that issomething I take into the new season.Of course I am looking forward to it."We had a bitter disappointment atthe end of last term (losing the F.A.I.Cup Final to Sporting Fingal) but thatis history now.

"In looking forward, I have to be astruthful as I can be. Bohemians andShamrock Rovers will be very strongwhen you look at the depth in therespective squads. Indeed, I think ourCup final opponents will be thesurprise packets this year."Shams have added quality playersand Bohs have added the likes ofRafael Cretaro(from Sligo) and GarethMcGlynn.

"I've never been afraid of playingany team and I know for a fact thatwith a full side available to us we canput it up to anyone."However, the worry is that you canrun into injuries and suspensions andthat can have an effect and that iswhere the depth of your squad is soimportant," Cook maintained.

"As I have often repeated, we arenever going to have the finances tobring in the best players, but we haveassembled a squad that has workedhard in pre-season and will certainlybe fit.

"People can't expect, however, that itwill work overnight. Firstimpressions can sometimes leave thewrong impression and if playersmake mistakes, I would hope that thefans will support them, rather than becritical," the manager added.

Though loath to set targets in theevent of under achievement beingviewed as disappointment, Cooknevertheless says that fourth place isnot beyond a possibility.

"All leagues present their owndifficulties and this league is verymuch the same. We are not going towin every match. What we will do isprepare as professionally as we canand apply ourselves as we should toevery game.

"Some of the players will have totake at look at the league and learnwhat it is like. We played teams suchas Athlone Town and Finn Harps inour pre-season build up and now wewill be stepping up a level.

"The teams at the top will be toughand there will be a scramble behindthem. Fourth place is not beyond usand after what happened at the end oflast season we will of course belooking for good runs in the Cups.

"We were beaten after extra-time byBohemians in the League Cup, lostthe F.A.I. Cup final and are nowthrough to the semi-final of theSetanta Cup.

"Everyone knows that the Cups arethat little bit special and there was agreat atmosphere around the F.A.I.Cup final.

"It was tough to lose as we did. It'sgone now and we must move on. I feelwe have put together a good squadand I repeat that the Committee haveworked extremely hard to help me inmy efforts.

"Working together we can do well,but don't judge us straight away. Therewill be a lot of times when it is 'horsesfor courses' and this is a long run, nota sprint," said Cook.