Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt says his main objective is focusing on starting the 2017-18 campaign on a positive note.

The Clever Boys will begin the 2017-18 campaign by defending their MTN8 trophy and the Absa Premiership title.

The 53-year-old insists that his side have to raise their game in order to improve on their success of the previous season.

“We got ourselves to a certain level by winning things last season, now we need to maintain it and improve,” Hunt told IOL.

“You don’t need to say too much to keep the team at the top. You just need to bring players and create competition. You must bring players who will push those in your starting XI. That will keep raising the bar. There is no secret to it really.”

Hunt says he isn’t worrying about winning the league, instead he is focusing on making the correct signings to help them defend their title.

“I don’t know if we can defend the league or not,” he added.

“Everybody will certainly be up for the fight. If you look at pre-season, everyone wants it a little bit more. There are five or six clubs that can win the league.

“There’s no doubt about it. It used to be one or two, now it’s five or six, guaranteed, which means there is more pressure.

“We can’t think about the finish line just yet. We have to focus on a good start. If we think about the finish line, we won’t get there.

“We will try and plot our way through and see how we progress. I don’t get too far ahead of myself. The key to retaining the league is getting your signings right. Hopefully the signings we have made can improve our squad. I know they will do.”

The Students have already strengthened their squad with the signings of Steven Pienaar, Daylon Claasen, Kobamelo Kodisang, Bokang Thlone and Slavko Damjanovic.

Bidvest Wits are set to welcome Golden Arrows to the Bidvest Wits Stadium when the two sides meet in the MTN8 on Friday.

Kick-off has been set for 20:00.

– This story originally appeared on SportsClub.co.za