DANNY Holmes insists out-of-form Merthyr Town will be "a different animal" when they return to Penydarren Park on Saturday (3pm).

The Martyrs are currently on a four-match losing run, but the most recent three of those defeats have come away from their Wales base.

Merthyr sit 15th in Southern League South, six places below Wimborne Town, but seven of their 10 points so far have come from their home stadium, which features an artificial playing surface.

And Holmes is expecting a tough test for his side, who lost this corresponding fixture 2-0 last season.

"They always seem to be stronger at home," the Magpies boss told Radio Wimborne.

"We did well there last year for the first 45 minutes and then they started to get on top of us in the second half. They're certainly a different animal at home.

"But we're going to go on the front foot and have a go. We aren't going to change anything. We're going to keep to what we do and our methods."

Asking if he would prepare the team differently to cope with the change of surface, Holmes added: "It will suit us in a way because we're a pass-and-move side.

"Maybe some of the work this week will be in tighter areas. We'll bounce it and move a bit quicker. But it shouldn't make much difference to us."