Boss wants to avoid pet hate
Hornets boss Dominic Di Paola is hoping he can avoid one of his pet hates this summer – bringing in lots of new players.
The Hornets boss has reflected on a successful season for the club and spoken of his hopes of retaining most of the squad for what he thinks will be another tough league campaign in 2022-23
Di Paola said he, his staff and players had learned a lot in a campaign in which at one point they had work to do to move away from the relegation pack.
"I feel like we've got a really good understanding of the league. We've played everybody home and away, so that's useful,” he said, noting this had been their first full season since promotion in 2019.
"With the cups it's been a slog, but with the 42 league games you've really got to make sure that your side is fresh throughout. That really is key.
"There were so many games where we had to look after the team. Whenever you're struggling a little bit you do get punished in this league.”
Viewing the Isthmian premier line-up for 22-23 Di Paola said: "Looking at the teams that have come up like Herne Bay and Hastings, and Billericay who have come down from the National League South, it will probably be a harder league next year.
"Hastings are a very good side and should probably have already been at step three anyway.
"It will be tough again and you know you'll have no margin for error in any game.
"At the beginning of the (21-22) season we targeted a top half finish. We wanted a cup run of some description, and we ended up with three. We wanted to increase the fanbase and the crowds and we've done that.
"We want to, hopefully, not have a high turnover of players. I'm hoping that we'll have the majority of this year's squad staying.
"I hate bringing in new players. It takes so long for them to bed in, and for the team to gel. Hopefully we've got the nucleus of a side that we know is capable.
"If you look back on it, it's been a success.
"We can regroup now. Next season we won't be playing 60 games. If we get down to 50 that would be nice."