PATIENT Andy Monkhouse has hailed Ricky Shakes' 'steel' as well as the 'silk' and believes the Trinidad and Tobago youngster can prove a real nightmare for opposing left-backs this season.
The duo look likely to provide Town's width in the opening game at Hartlepool United on Saturday and Monkhouse is hugely impressed by Shakes' tenacity going into the League Two campaign.
Monkhouse highlighted an incident in Saturday's game with Reading where Shakes, pictured left, found himself surrounded by three players, looked to be going nowhere but persisted and earned a corner.
The summer signing from Rotherham United said: "Ricky has pace, skill and quality.
"But I think there's more to him than that.
"There was a moment against Reading where Ricky looked as though he was going to come out second best but he ended up winning us a corner.
"If we all show fight like that then I think we'll have a good season."
Monkhouse is certainly full of fight but he also understands the importance of patience.
Wide players do not always receive as much of the ball as they would like and it can sometimes appear that the guy on the opposite flank is enjoying far more possession.
Shakes certainly enjoyed more of the play in the first half against Reading than Monkhouse.
Sometimes it works out that all the play goes down one particular flank.
Wide men have to be patient but that doesn't mean you take your foot off the gas.
Monkhouse will remain disciplined but won't be shy of getting involved.
He said: "I didn't touch the ball that much in the first half against Reading but then if the team are doing well and I don't see that much of the ball, fair enough.
"If I'm not getting the ball I'll go looking for it."
Spirits are high in the camp, especially on the back of holding Championship and Premiership sides to draws in the last couple of weeks.
Monkhouse relishes the chance to test himself against loftier opposition and feels it can only help preparations for the League Two campaign.
He said: "It was a chance for all the boys to show how well we're doing and how far we've come.
"I'd rather play against those teams, it tests you and you can learn from it and it fills you with confidence."