Away from the FA Cup draw, we are in action at the weekend down on the south coast against fellow promoted Weymouth.

Seems to be debate around the keeper spot, personally I would stick with Mair as I think the problems over the past two games have been mainly down to those in front of him and the quality of the opposition we have faced.  Would love to see IC revert back to something more akin to what got us to the NL and look to play the ball through midfield so for me:

                Mair
Jones, Smith, McAuley, Brown
    Clunan, Jarvis, Richards
           Carey, Kelly
             Marriott

Subs: Barrows, Barker, King, Southwell, Power

Have to feel for the club - best cup draw we could have had at this stage (Notts County at home) and no fans allowed

OK, all the smoke signals are that the season is going to start this coming weekend, so with all the usual COVID caveats what are peoples views on starting 11 and prospects for the season - yes a FOOTBALL thread 

Personally I still think we are a center half light and without Gash I do fear for us defending set pieces.  I think going forward we will still create chances even in a league above although whether Mazz can continue such a fantastic rate is unlikely at step 1 but still think he will convert his fair share, the rest of the forward line are hardly prolific so we really need King to weigh in to fill Henderson's goals from midfield and hopefully Carey will continue his development with more opportunities (the silver lining from Henderson's departure?). 

I haven't watched any of the pre-season but I would go with:
            Pedro/Mair
Burrows, Smith, McAuley, Brown
      Richards, Jarvis, Kelly
                 King
          Loza, Southwell

leaving a bench of Jones, Clunan, Power, Carey and Mazz

Pretty sure IC will go with something much different but I just don't think we will have enough in midfield if we play Loza and Power together out wide and I just can't see Southwell being a threat on his own up front at this level.

So with the Trust's GDF season ticket raffle being drawn tonight and putting over £1000 into the GDF pot, what can be learned and where do we go next? 

For me, the big thing is that if the Trust hadn't taken some initiative there wouldn't be an extra £1000 - donations to the GDF II are currently just over £2400 (+ the raffle money) and it seems it's much better to run 'a fundraiser' whether that is a raffle or a quiz (that raised money for GDF I) than to just ask for donations.  Hopefully there will be something else in the pipeline between now and Christmas with a push to again raise a sum for a specific item that will be required for the ground grading improvements - I think a 'target' helps focus the minds and also shows those contributing where their money is going.

I appreciate that it is difficult in current times, both physically with social distancing and financially with many unsure of their incomes, to raise money but what are other people's views on how the fans can be encouraged to contribute (over and above match days) to the club? 

Not the sort of statement you want to see from any club:
http://www.doverathletic.com/news/statement-from-chairman/

Worrying thing is we don't really know how much of this has been brought on by COVID and how much was there beforehand but, either way, I don't think we can be anything but concerned for football at steps 1 & 2 (where there are 'substantial' wages but very little non-match day income)

For those missing SC's programme notes, he has taken to the airwaves with a podcast.  As with his programme notes, could do with a bit of editing but he is one for saying things as he sees them, obviously this sometimes splits opinion but it is what it is. 

Link to listen here https://anchor.fm/stephen-cleeve 

Three topics in the first 'episode' - COVID-19 and finishing the season, furloughing players and free transfers.  No surprises on SC's thoughts on the first item, second was interesting and probably shows why the PFA and pro-footballers have not had the best PR over the past couple of weeks and not sure I would agree with SC's thoughts on free transfers but interesting all the same

Yet more rain in the forecast for the north west over the next couple of days which isn't likely to help us.  Big question for IC is how much he rings the changes from the side that lost at Chester, even though the winner came in injury time and he thought we gave them their goals they also had plenty of other chances on the highlights but hardly unexpected as they are a good side. 

I am not a fan of Burrows at left back but IC seems to want to shoehorn him in there, for me I would go with a back three and play wing backs, leave Richards and Alfie to sit in the middle of the park and then we have plenty of options for the front three.  I think Sonny has been unlucky to be the one sacrificed for Power and maybe Saturday might be the time to give Southwell his first start but I think you could make a case for any of the attacking options to slot in with Marriott, just need to find the right combination as maybe teams have started to work us out a bit more.

So the arrival of Power and Southwell sees the departure of Stewart and Limb.  Wish them all the best and would hope they will be able to find new clubs for the rest of the season as both probably need games more than anything else with limited opportunities this season.