Farbrace's side play in Division Two of the County Championship this season

Kent director of cricket Paul Farbrace says he is in positive mood ahead of the start of the 2011 season.

Farbrace's side, who are in just their second-ever season in Division Two of the County Championship, start at Essex who were also relegated last year.

"We are blessed with some very good players, our senior players are as good as any in the country," Farbrace told BBC Radio Kent.

"I think there are signs of optimism about the place."

However former England captain Michael Vaughan told BBC Radio Kent that he believes Farbrace's side do not have the depth to compete for honours this season.

"I don't see them pushing too hard in too many competitions," Vaughan said. "I don't think they have the depth. They have a young team that will take some captaining and some managing. I think they should get their gains out of creating good England qualified players."

Fast bowler Amjad Khan has left to join neighbours Sussex but Farbrace said he was delighted that despite the club struggling financially, that was the only senior departure.

"There was a lot of talk about James Tredwell, Darren Stevens and Martin Van Jaarsveld possibly leaving but apart from Khan, everyone else is still here," Farbrace continued.

"I felt last year we had as good a batting side as any in the first division and there's no need to change that.

"We'll aim to be as competitive as possible in all competitions. I think the one day competitions give us our best chance of really challenging but our aim is promotion to the first division, the quarter final of the Twenty20 and the latter stages of the 40 over competition," he said.

"I'm really really looking forward to the start of the season - I think Chelmsford is a really good place to start."

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