Dorking Wanderers

22/23 Position: 16th

Founded: 1999

Nickname: The Wanderers

Ground: Meadowbank

Key Player: Jimmy Muitt

This is one of those that Dorking fans might not think of straight away. However, during my research for my Notts transfer recruitment document Muitt came up, time and time again. From a statistical standpoint, he ranks extremely highly. He's in top percentiles for dribbles, crosses, box entries, pretty much every attacking stat. He is a player who matches the eye test too, but sometimes lacks that final piece of quality in the final third. If he can add that to his game he will be a top player this season.

Key Signing: Tony Craig

It's not an overstatement to suggest that Tony Craig's arrival was the biggest factor in Dorking remaining in the division. They were in freefall before he arrived, and his impact was far greater than his indidivual performances. The 38 year old organised the defence, brought stability to the backline, and eradicated the mistakes that were leading to far too many goals. He will be equaly as important in ensuring Dorking don't concede too many goals this season.

Opening Fixtures:

Chesterfield (A)

Maidenhead (H)

Southend (H)

Solihull (A)

York City (H)

Manager: Marc White

The Odds:

Title: 80/1

Promotion: 40/1

Top 7: 8/1

White's story is well documented, but he is the founder, owner, manager and everything in between for Dorking. He's been incredibly successful, lading his side through the divisions with promotion after promotion, and his goal will be to ultimately deliver Dorking into the Football League. He is certainly a character, as shown by the Bunch of Amateurs series, but what is often overlooked is his attacking play style. His side dominate the ball more than any other.

Verdict:

Predicting Dorking to actually get worse this season wasn't an easy decision. After all, since their inception they've seemingly only taken steps forward. However, one step they have also taken this summer is going towards a hybrid model, and while in the long run this will work in their favour, I expect it to have a detrimental effect in the short term. I don't think they will go down but it might be closer.

Prediction: 20th

Eastleigh

22/23 Position: 9th

Founded: 1946

Nickname: The Spitfires

Ground: Silverlake Stadium

Key Player: Charlie Carter

Without a doubt Carter was Eastleigh’s best player last season. He was also in the conversation for team of the season, such were the strength of his performances. He played brilliantly in a variety of roles., either from a more central role, or out wide, both scoring and creating chances.

You can see that Carter has played at a higher level; he plays with poise, has sumptuous technique, and he influences every game he plays in. He makes Eastleigh tick, and is one to really watch this season.

Key Signing: Paul McCallum

The loss of talisman Danny Whitehall would have hurt. He was their top scorer, and was capable of the spectacular. That blow will have been softened then by the return of former striker Paul McCallum, a prolific goalscorer at this level. He didn’t have his best campaign in 22/23, McCallum left Eastleigh in 2019, where he fired 35 goals in 67 games, and he will be happy if he can replicate that form. A big forward who is a real handful, he will dominate in the

Opening Fixtures:

Solihull (A)

Aldershot (H)

Dorking (A)

Gateshead (H)

Fylde (A)

The Odds:

Title: 25/1

Promotion: 14/1

Top 7: 9/4

Manager: Lee Bradbury

A manager who I rate and respect, Bradbury looked like he might take Eastleigh into the playoffs, but unfortunately for the 48 year old, his side ran out of steam. He was tactically flexible, switching between a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-4-2 for large portions of the season, but his issue was often getting key man Carter into his best position. He’s a manager who knows the local area well, having manager both Havant and Bournemouth, and he will be hoping for a playoff finish.

Verdict:

This is one of the predictions I’m really uncomfortable with, and even now I’m second guessing myself. But it’s the highest I’m able to the Spitfires, in what would be a disappointing season. I actually think they’ve recruited well, added goals but they have lost a few key players. Furthermore, they ran out of steam last season when a playoff finish was in their own hands.

Prediction: 12th