Stockport County boss Gary Ablett is determined to prove the doom-mongers wrong come May.

The Hatters remain in administration and are favourites to start next season in League Two.

But former Anfield defender Ablett says he is enjoying the challenge of trying to mould County's youngsters into a force that can help to ensure survival.

"I love the job. I work with some good people and I thoroughly enjoy coming in to work," he said.

"We're picking everyone up in terms of the summer they've had and we're starting to put a smile back on everyone's faces.

"We've said that it's us against the world. Everyone's tipping us to go down and we have a lot of people to prove wrong."

Although many of County's current squad lack experience, that can't be said about keeper Owain Fon Williams. The Welsh international was in stunning form in last weekend's opener, a 0-0 draw at Oldham.

"We think we're still 10 days behind where we want to be, but you can't ask for any more from a group of young lads," said Ablett.

"Some days it won't be good enough, but it proved to be so against Oldham."

Ablett's hands are currently tied when it comes to bringing in new faces because of restrictions that apply to clubs still in administration.

"I think we're going to have to wait in terms of who we want to bring in. But having said that, it's a fantastic opportunity for the boys here to stake their claim," added Ablett.

"It's nice to come in and be around this group of players, because they want to improve every day."

Stockport made a fast exit from the Carling Cup when they were beaten 3-1 by Huddersfield on Tuesday, although Ablett felt all three Huddersfield goals were down to his side giving the ball away.

"But I'm not here to rant and rave at the players, its about educating them on the training ground," he said.

"That's what I was doing at Everton and Liverpool. We are limited by only being allowed to have 20 players because we are still in administration."