Tony Pulis admits he still gets nervous ahead of the start of the season and vowed his experience will aid West Bromwich Albion.
WBA host Manchester City on Monday with Pulis still trying to rebuild the team after guiding them to safety last year.
It is Pulis' first full season in charge at The Hawthorns after he took over in January from Alan Irvine.
The boss is coming into his 24th year as as manager but admitted he cannot shake the nerves.
"The experience makes you more aware of what is around the corner and what could happen," he said. "It's apprehension as much as anything else and the determination to get through another season.
"I'm chalk and cheese from when I started but society has changed, compare what was going on then and what's going on now. If you're not prepared to adapt, especially in football, you'll get left behind."
Rickie Lambert, James McClean and James Chester could all make their debuts while Boaz Myhill will continue in goal in the absence of the injured Ben Foster.
Serge Gnabry will miss out though as the Arsenal youngster, who joined on loan on Friday, lacks match fitness with the Baggies expecting him to be up to speed in two weeks.
Pulis is still hunting new players and is close to signing Salomon Rondon from Zenit St Petersburg for a club record fee and knows the Baggies fans expect more additions.
He said: "They will be the same as me, they will be waiting for some players to come in.
"They want some players, we want some and the dressing room wants some. It's important you get good players and you have to be careful.
"I've always worked with the material I am given and that's always been my philosophy, to try to squeeze everything out of everybody.
"The club has a good structure and we haven't made too many changes but most things are in place."