With a big list of 46 fixtures in front of us, the start of the season is now starting to look a lot nearer, especially for new manager Jay Saunders.

Whilst pre-season appears to be going well so far, he knows it doesn't count for anything until the season actually starts a month today,

Jay said:  "The first thing I look for is the first game, and then who we're playing Christmas, which is often a local one."

He added:  "On the first day, Weymouth is an interesting one.  I'm glad we're home, it gives the club the chance to push and make sure the ground is ready for it.  If we can get a good win to start the season then it sets you on good ground.  It's an interesting fixture with them just being relegated, they've lost a few players and have got a number of new players.  It's a tricky one, but it's one to look forward to.

"Not having any home games in pre-season at the moment it will be a really good occasion to look forward to.  It's a really good fixture which all the players are looking forward to and working towards.

As ever with the Vanarama National League, two Christmas games are the reverse of each other, this year it's Welling United back-to-back with the Wings coming to us on Boxing Day with us making a visit to Park View Road six days later.

Jay said: "Boxing Day and New Years Day are usually local derbies.  I thought it would be Dover to be honest but Welling are a side who look like they're going for it.  I expect them to be two games with big crowds."

We also asked if there are any particular grounds Jay is looking forward to visiting.  But it's the games closer to home that he is more looking forward to:

"I think I've been to most of the grounds in this league!   The local games are always good because of the crowds and they always have that little bit extra, but it's the home games I'm looking forward to most this year because of the new pitch.  We want to try and make that a fortress.  If we can make our home form good then the rest should take care of itself."

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