Weymouth fans Dan and James gave us a run down of the club's chances for the new campaign. Up first Dan.
HOW DID YOU FEEL THE 14/15 SEASON WENT FOR YOUR TEAM?
I feel that we drew a lot of positives from the last term. We made silly mistakes at times that let us down but I felt the lads kept up with the pace of the better sides for the most part. More importantly I'm glad we've retained so many players. Consistency is key and that's something that Jason Matthews has brought to the table during his time in charge.
HAVE YOU BEEN IMPRESSED WITH THE ADDITIONS MADE DURING THE SUMMER BREAK?
I'm more than happy with how we've strengthened in pre-season. The signing of Mark Molesly brings experience to the back four and the signature of Calvin Brooks is something that I was hoping for from the outset. Yett's contract extension is good news too and I feel that the set-up at Weymouth attracts these lads more than anything. We've moved on from a struggling side to a more established team, that's the biggest benefit.
ARE THERE ANY AREAS YOU FEEL STILL NEED STRENGTHENING?
I wouldn't say there are any gaping holes in our squad as it stands. Another striker wouldn't go amiss as we struggled in the final third last season. Mark Ford has played well in the reserves recently though so there's always that option.
ARE THERE ANY FIXTURES THAT YOU'RE PARTICULARLY LOOKING FORWARD TO?
Obviously the first competitive home game and then I'll be keen to see how we fair against St Neot's, that's the first real test.
WHICH OPPOSITION TEAM DO YOU HAVE HIGH HOPES FOR THIS SEASON?
I hope the promoted teams can establish themselves in this league, I feel Weymouth can go toe-to-toe with any side this year though.
WHICH PLAYERS AMONG YOUR SQUAD SHOULD WE BE LOOKING OUT FOR THIS TERM?
Adam Kelly is a great play maker, Rigg and Shepard can only get better this season as well. They're the ones to watch.
WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'LL END UP AT THE END OF THE SEASON?
I feel we can have a serious dig this year. The quality of the team is brilliant and some of the lads have tremendous work rates. That's key at this level and it puts The Terras in good stead. Hopefully I see us comfortably within the play offs and hopefully higher!
James offered us his thoughts next.
HOW DID YOU FEEL THE 14/15 SEASON WENT FOR YOUR TEAM?
As one fan put it: "it was our best season for many years, but our most disappointing". After years of financial struggle we finally looked like we had a chance of challenging for promotion, and over the first half of the season we looked like title contenders. We were on fire. We found ourselves top of the league with up to 6 games in hand at New Year, but then the wheels came off in dramatic fashion. We started leaking goals, suffered some very heavy away defeats, and in the end we missed out on even the play-offs, which was very disappointing having been in the top 5 for most of the season. But at the same time there was immense pride at the progress the club made both on and off the pitch. We shouldn't lose sight of that at all.
HAVE YOU BEEN IMPRESSED WITH THE ADDITIONS MADE DURING THE SUMMER BREAK?
I'm very encouraged. We kept the bulk of last seasons side, and have strengthened our defence with the signing of the vastly experienced Pat Baldwin from Exeter, and highly rated Mark Cooper from Frome. We've also added to our option in midfield by signing Mark Molesley from Aldershot and highly rated youngster Billy Lowes from Poole.
ARE THERE ANY AREAS YOU FEEL STILL NEED STRENGTHENING?
We'd all like to see another striker to take some of the pressure off of Yetton, but the truth it at this level you will always be wanting to strengthen in one area or another. With what we have to work with I think we're as strong as we can be right now. Our defence was a total shambles last season, but if the new look back 4 can be as strong as it looks on paper, we should be able to maintain our challenge this time.
ARE THERE ANY FIXTURES THAT YOU'RE PARTICULARLY LOOKING FORWARD TO?
Obviously the derbies against Dorchester are always a season highlight, although I have a nasty feeling they're due a win over us this season. I look forward to visiting Hitchin Town too. Love Top Field - proper old school ground.
WHICH OPPOSITION TEAM DO YOU HAVE HIGH HOPES FOR THIS SEASON?
I think St Neots will take some beating. They've strengthened further over the summer which is a frightening prospect considering they only lost one game post new year last season. They are often called the "moneybags" of this level but in fairness to them, they also seem to have a very successful youth academy which has seen a couple of players make the step up to first team level recently.
You'd imagine Poole will be their main challengers along with Merthyr, whose 3G pitch appears to have brought a whole new meaning to the term "home advantage". Hungerford, Cirencester and Kettering should be there or thereabouts too.
WHICH PLAYERS AMONG YOUR SQUAD SHOULD WE BE LOOKING OUT FOR THIS TERM?
Chris Shephard is nigh on unplayable when he's on song, and Adam Kelly is an exciting player too. He only scores screamers!
WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'LL END UP AT THE END OF THE SEASON?
As I said, our defence was our major Achilles heel last season. But with the ever prolific Yetton up front, along with the likes of Shephard, Kelly, Sills and McPhee chipping in we'll always be good for a goal or three. So if our new look back 4 can be as strong as it looks on paper, there's no reason at all why we can't secure a top 5 spot. I'm not gonna sit here and say we will definitely do it - this is going to be the most competitive southern league for many years. Whoever goes up really will deserve it!
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