Dorking Wandering
The Dorking Wanderers FC Fans Forum
My predictions for next season is as follows. The bookies have not released their odds yet, so will be interested to see how close they are to this as well:-
1. Dorking Wanderers
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2. Maidenhead
3. Torquay
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4. Eastbourne
5. Horsham
6. Chelmsford
7. Ebbsfleet
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8. Farnborough
9. Hampton and Richmond
10. Salisbury
11. Hornchurch
12. Maidstone
13. Bath
14. Dover
15. Worthing
16. Dagenham and Redbridge
17. AFC Totton
18. Tonbridge Angels
19. Chippenham
20. Hemel Hempstead
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21. Chesham
22. Slough
23. Weston Super Mare
24. Enfield
Honestly think if we keep the squad as it is we are looking at something like 10th. A squad of 19 (plus 3 youngsters) is nowhere near enough with our injuroes record and no head physio in place. Out of those 19 I am sorry but I don't expect huge contributions from club legends Mooro and Macca either, 46 games plus hoped for cup runs in the Trophy and FA Cup will be a killer.
If it comes to October and we arer already well off the pace I would rather the club spend any budget on securing the ground lease rather than bringing in 4/5/6 new players like a year ago.
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
I'll save my 1-24 predictions until just before the season starts as I am sure there are still a fair few signings from clubs around us still to come.
I really don't see Dagenham finishing 16th considering they just signed NLN top scorer Hemmings yesterday. Maidstone and Worthing have suffered significant departures so will be interesting to see how they do. Eastbourne have lost their manager and a few key players so they may fall back a bit this season as well. Will be interesting to see if Ebbsfleet can get back in to the habit of winning after such a poor season last year and to see if this new Chelmsford squad can immediately gel.
I think 5th is a very bold prediction for Horsham as they appear to be going with quite a small squad for this season. I expect them to survive comfortably though. Hemel have signed well and have a very good manager so I expect them higher than 20th. Weston going down would be a bit of a shock after such a good last season as well.
My early thoughts is that it is Torquay's to lose. Priority for us should be a good FA Cup run and a playoff position (ideally 2nd-3rd).
Honestly think if we keep the squad as it is we are looking at something like 10th. A squad of 19 (plus 3 youngsters) is nowhere near enough with our injuroes record and no head physio in place. Out of those 19 I am sorry but I don't expect huge contributions from club legends Mooro and Macca either, 46 games plus hoped for cup runs in the Trophy and FA Cup will be a killer.
If it comes to October and we arer already well off the pace I would rather the club spend any budget on securing the ground lease rather than bringing in 4/5/6 new players like a year ago.
My prediction is based on there being a striker to cover for Alfie signed around October or November time, and then a further 2-3 added later in season at a senior level. Most seasons now we sign players in the beginning part of the season and during the season. Its become the norm, no way would I assume we go through the season with just that lot.
I think there will be a lot of focus and togetherness in the group next season, enough to hit a title winning season. Also, I do not think we will get anywhere as near as many injuries next season as the previous 2-3 season. As the average age has come down significantly.
I see us finishing 5-7th like last year. Some good sides but a lot of poorer ones too. Agree with Tom that Torquay probably favorite. Also agree Horsham will finish much lower due to a very thin squad (no better than mid-table). Also feel Dagenham, Maidstone and Worthing will finish higher than Jackson predicts.
@dorking-eagle Second that. I reckon we will finish anywhere from 4th down to 10th.
I'd be very surprised if we finish outside of the top 3. Given a fairer wind and less injuries, we would have been clear last season - and there's been no damaging departures and 3 excellent new signings.
Very optimistic - and I think it'll be fun to watch, given we now have a ball playing centre half.
@calvertskans With these new Qatari owners and Andy Carroll signing a 3 year contract it will be interesting to see who else they bring in
Looking forward to seeing Prior v Carroll at corners! What happend to James Edmonds? Was he sacked? No goodbye on socials to him.
@calvertskans I went through all their signings prior to Carroll signing, and they look nailed on to be Champions then.
If you look at the quality of players they've brought in, their age profile, then the manager does not need to do much other than pick 11 players who are fit and in their strongest positions... and they will walk the division.
My new pick has Dagenham champions and everyone else moving down one place. Also having seen how Horsham has conducted its business, they will go down some places and Worthing move up some.
1. Dagenham and Redbridge
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2. Dorking Wanderers
3. Maidenhead
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4. Torquay
5. Eastbourne
6. Chelmsford
7. Ebbsfleet
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8. Farnborough
9. Hampton and Richmond
10. Salisbury
11. Horsham
12. Worthing
13. Hornchurch
14. Maidstone
15. Bath
16. Dover
17. AFC Totton
18. Tonbridge Angels
19. Chippenham
20. Hemel Hempstead
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21. Chesham
22. Slough
23. Weston Super Mare
24. Enfield
Ok, 1-24 prediction time now that we've had a few weeks of pre-season and some more signings come in:
1. Dagenham & Redbridge (C)
2. Torquay United (POW)
3. Maidenhead United
4. Chelmsford City
5. Dorking Wanderers
6. Ebbsfleet United
7. Worthing
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8. Eastbourne Borough
9. Maidstone United
10. Farnborough
11. Salisbury
12. Hornchurch
13. Hemel Hempstead Town
14. Bath City
15. Weston-super-Mare
16. Horsham
17. Chippenham Town
18. AFC Totton
19. Chesham United
20. Dover Athletic
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21. Hampton & Richmond (R)
22. Slough Town (R)
23. Tonbridge Angels (R)
24. Enfield Town (R)
And in the league above, I will go with:
Champions: York City
Play-off Winners: Carlisle United
Relegated: Brackley Town, Morecambe, Truro City, Wealdstone
@jacksonfairweather I'm not convinced on Dagenham. 7 players in (I think), 5 of which are loans is a lot to gel into a team, regardless of quality.
I'll go for teams that have minimal changes but looked good last season even without the additions - i.e. The Wanderers 😉
@adeb My thoughts behind Dagenham being 1st is that they will get sustained investment throughout the season now that they have new owners. The signing of Andy Carroll shows the intent and I am sure more big name signings will follow, especially through the first half of the season.
They were also the highest placed finishers of the relegated National League teams and I can see them having a similar rebound season to Yeovil a couple of seasons ago.
Sad times at Morecambe, if they are allowed to start the season that is a result.
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White