Ebbsfleet United

22/23 Position: 1st (NLS)

Founded: 1946

Nickname: The Fleet

Ground: Stonebridge Road

Key Player: Dominic Poleon

Opening Fixtures:

Rochdale (A)

Solihull (H)

Aldershot (H)

Gateshead (A)

Kidderminster (H)

The Odds:

Title: 33/1

Promotion: 20/1

Top 7: 3/1

Manager: Dennis Kutrieb

Key Signing: Ousseynou Cisse

Few forwards in any division can boast that they are coming off the back of a 35 goal season. In fact, Poleon is the most in form forward in the division, and while it’s a step up in quality, it’s one he is more than capable of handling. Poleon has played a higher level before, and in truth the NLS always looked a cut below Poleon’s ability. He made short work of defences last term, with a combination of speed, power and incredible movement, of course combined with natural finishing instincts. Expect a big season. Ebbsfleet have lost key central midfielder N’Guessan, and while Cisse isn’t a like for like replacement, he will help replace some of the physical attributes they’ve lost with the departure. Cisse is a very good player in his own right too. He’s tall, rangy, experienced and is coming off the back of one of his best seasons to date. He was the key anchor in Eastleigh’s midfield, breaking play up by being disruptive. He also has the pedigree and ability to start

Verdict:

Kutrieb won the league last season, so his confidence must be at an all time high. He spearheaded a side who dominated the division last season, creating several chances, so much so that they had an xG of 98.52, by far the highest in Tier 6. He stuck with a 3-5-2 system, where he converted wingers to wing backs, allowing dynamic attacking play across the pitch. It’ll be interesting to see if he sticks to his principles this season, or if he tempers it for the step up.

The promoted side I feel most optimistic about is Ebbsfleet. They had an incredible 22/23 campaign, and they haven't lost too many key players either. While there is certainly a step up in ability between the 2 divisions, I don't see why the Fleet can't handle the step up. They play an exciting brand of football, have a very strong streike partnership in Poleon and Bingham, and I just have a good feeling about them.

Prediction: 11th

Gateshead

22/23 Position: 14th

Founded: 1977

Nickname: The Heed

Ground: Gateshead International Stadium

Key Player: Greg Olley

One of the very best players in the league, Olley handled the step up, hitting double digit assists for the 2nd season in a row. A wonderfully creative player, Olley is versatile in that he's capable creating from deep, but also equally effective in and around the box. Gateshead utilised him in both positions, further forward towards the end of the season where Gateshead started to hit form. Olley is their chief creator, but he's not afraid to get stuck in either.

Key Signing: Archie Mair

I could not have picked a better fit for Gateshead than Archie Mair. He is of course now infamous for his playoff final heroics, and of course that was a huge moment for the young keeper, testament to not only his penalty saving ability but also his character. But what people might not realise about Mair is that he is one of the very best keepers with the ball at his feet. He plays almost as another CB, and this will suit Gateshead perfectly in build up.

Opening Fixtures:

Boreham Wood (H)

Hartlepool (A)

Dagenham (A)

Ebbsfleet (H)

Woking (H)

The Odds:

Title: 50/1

Promotion: 25/1

Top 7: 9/2

Manager: Mike Williamson

A manager who is getting more and more plaudits, and deservedly so. Not only does he have his Gateshead team playing a wonderful, attacking brand of football, but he also made the right tactical tweaks when it mattered, and got his side comfortably to safety. He also had to deal with replacing his 50+ goal strike partnership, something he did with clever recruitment. He is another coach who will be in the EFL before long..

Verdict:

The Heed are many people's dark horses for the National League this season. I too am optimistic about their chances, but have tempered them slightly. Not only is this a massively competitive division, but I do feel that Gateshead do lack some squad depth and size, which may cost them in the hectic National League schedule. No doubt they'll get some big results, and a top 7 finish wouldn't surprise me at all.

Prediction: 9th