Just been looking at the teams in our league this coming season. Every team will be optimistic so it's imperative that we get off to a good start. We can expect the usual challengers to be there again i.e. Ashton, Blyth and Workington.
Stourbridge, Barwell, Buxton, Rushall and Nantwich did well last season but can they repeat their form into next season? There are six new teams; Coalville, Corby, Hednesford, Spennymoor, Stafford and Warrington. It's very difficult to predict who will be the front runners before the season starts. There's usually a surprise package like Frickley were last season.
 I expect the following teams to do well (in alphabetical order):
      Ashton Utd
      Blyth Spartans
      Nantwich  
      Warrington
      Workington 
I'm guessing that these five will be the main obstacles to Ilkeston getting into the playoff positions. Usually teams that make a good start grow in confidence and do well. Not always the case as Skelmersdale have shown in the past but obviously if you get a bad start it's hard to recover.  
Stourbridge have lost their star striker, Karl Hawley but they still have a strong side. Spennymoor and Stafford Rangers could be dark horses and I don't know much about Corby or Hednesford.
I wonder if any of our rivals are expecting a strong promotion challenge from Ilkeston?