Dorking Wandering
The Dorking Wanderers FC Fans Forum
Can't be bothered to do a match thread for every pre-season game so will just do one for all of them.
We start with a trip to the West Sussex coast tomorrow as we face step 4 side, Bognor Regis Town.
@bethdan I heard Forster had signed but don't know why the club wouldn't have announced it already if that was the case.
Not sure about Alcock.
I think the way the pre-season has been managed is the most professional I have ever seen since supporting the club in 2019, its been great to see. In previous seasons it was clear we were somewhat prioritising results, and playing in 6-7 friendlies that we won all of that did not matter. Then rocking up into the 1st game and by the 2nd month of the season had about 8 players crocked who started the season fit. That won't be the case this season.
There is nothing the management team can do about lads that were injured from last season either. They will come back when they come back.
Also, if lets say Harry Forster (winger) from league 2 and Todd Alcock (CM) from South Shields sign then we have the reinforcements we need to start the season. At the required quality to replace short term injures, then bolster the squad longer term.
In terms of goals Nikaj gets more goals than Prior, very sure of that. He looks like someone who gets us 20 goals at least and that is not including pens.
You can see that the club is far better run this season and will be far more able to get an auto promotion spot, as they wont fold due to lack of players being available at key times. That is just my view. Lets see. I am sure the budget exists for 1-2 to come in around October or November as well, we know it does, it always does. I agree Casey would be a great signing but only if his we can match the wage demands.
Forster has signed, just not announced yet. Casey is from the "traveller community" so is hard to tie down to a contract. There is only one automatic promotion spot, I am sure that is the target even if not publicly stated 😎
@luke Completely agree - was about to post something similar.
Results are totally irrelevant - and we are clearly bringing players gradually up to speed and being very careful not to overwork or bring in too much intensity (hence the youth players, and the results).
I have no doubt we will see a very, very different Wanderers performance come the Daggers game.
I agree that pre-season has been very good for manging minutes and making sure we gradually bring players back. However, I am not convinced that we will suddenly look a great side against Dagenham. I think we could see some short term pain for some long term gain.
Just seen this on X :
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
Hi all, not quite sure where to put this. We are a couple of fans and we’ve recorded a pilot podcast for the new season. Plan is to publish bi-weekly. Format will be match reviews and previews, club news and general chat around our away days and the non-league experience. We are live now and would really appreciate your feedback and support. We are looking for fans to guest with us and give us their views and thoughts. Strictly audio and an honest perspective, don’t expect ranting and raving!
Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-meadowbank/
Spotify
@dorking-eagle They are playing that game at The Valley behind closed doors now so will likely just be U21.
I don't like that we haven't promoted this game as a game against Charlton first team when it clearly isn't going to be.
Wishful thinking on my part!
I know what you mean, I once went to see Palace 21's at Margate, and all the locals were genuinely surprised we weren't bringing the first team, they had been sold tickets on the assumption of the proper men's team coming.
That said, I haven't seen any lamppost signs around town promoting this game at all, it is odd we wouldn't try really hard to get a good attendance for it.
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
Agree with comments about the way the game has been advertised, although will be interested to see how we get on if Kai Enslin is on the wing for Charlton.
Its now free entry for those who had already purchased a ticket to the Reading Charlton friendly.
@dorking-eagle Its been promoted on the clubs instagram daily for the past few weeks now. Pretty sure they upload it then delete said post then upload again the next day
@dorking-eagle They are playing that game at The Valley behind closed doors now so will likely just be U21.
I don't like that we haven't promoted this game as a game against Charlton first team when it clearly isn't going to be.
Looking at both Charlton and Reading's website, they are promoting the game at the Valley as the 1st team playing and offering free streaming. I would therefore expect Charlton to be mainly an U21 team. I half expected this, so decided to go and see Crawley tomorrow against what I was expected would be League 1's first team as seemingly advertised. The opposition you ask? Reading! At least we may get a few Reading fans coming as it is a different day.
I feel clubs should not play two games the same day, or at least tell the opposition that they will be U21 team so it can be advertised correctly. At least Horsham did this with a couple of friendlies against Wimbledon and Palace so I chose not to go. At least with the EFL Trophy you know you are playing the U21s.
Its now free entry for those who had already purchased a ticket to the Reading Charlton friendly.
Hopefully a good crowd around a thousand or so at Meadowbank. For just 6 quid for a Saturday afternoon out you can't go wrong!
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
Really good weekly update today, summed it up very well - lost a lot of experienced heads, still missing several players from the end of last season, and mostly playing a mix of new players and academy youngsters.
Curious what the big initiative is for away fans!
Christ, those Youtube adverts though - must have been every minute!!! 🙁
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
