Samir Carruthers believes the squad is in great shape as it looks to ‘right the wrongs’ of last season.
The Darts begin their 25/26 league campaign tomorrow with a tough away fixture at Dulwich Hamlet.
But Samir is relishing life at Princes Park and believes the team can start the season off with a bang.
He said: “We want to right the wrongs of last season. We have unfinished business in this league and it’s something Michael says regularly in the dressing room.
“We have managed to keep most of the squad together and the boys who have come in have been fantastic so far.
“We’ve done really well in pre-season, perhaps bar the Gillingham game. I’ve scored three goals and I’d like to take that form into the new campaign. But the aim of the Club is more important than my personal goals.
“However, I feel we are in really good shape right now and I believe if we can take the last six months of last season and implement the same principles, energy and fight into this one, we will have a really positive and successful season.”
At 32, Samir is one of the older members of the squad. But he admits he is just as excited at the start of a new season as he was a decade or more ago.
He continued: “If I didn’t love my football, I’d hang my boots up! At my age you understand what to expect as the new season approaches. There’s a bit of tension in the days leading up to the first game, especially not knowing what to expect from the opposition.
“You want to size up the opposition and know where you are in comparison, so things take a few games to settle down and understand where you are.
“This time last year, Ady didn’t even have a full squad. The first few months weren’t great, but after that we were probably the hottest team in the league.
“Last season, it got to November and we had a team meeting and I said no one wins the league in November. We then went on a 20-something game unbeaten. If we can match that, we will be up there again.
“You have to say well done to Horsham and Dover, but we want to replicate what we did in the latter part, bar the Play off final, of course.”
While Dartford became one of the form teams, it certainly didn’t start that way.
But this time, the expectation levels are raised with some exciting new additions Ady hopes can help push the team on.
Samir continued: “Firstly, I want to repay the Gaffer. He could have said he wanted fresh legs, but he has given me another chance.
“But looking at the league, we know teams will be worried about us now. The Gaffer has recruited unbelievably well. Jonny and Ben are great leaders. Then you have the quality on the ball of Sam, Sammie and Ikechi. And of course, Dan Smith, up top.
“I also want to mention Hugo, Richie and Albie, who have done so well in pre-season. We have a lot of experience at the Club now, who can help these guys along and look after them, whatever happens.”
Samir ended by issuing a rallying cry to supporters with the team hoping they can help them turn Princes Park into a fortress this season.
He said: “The fans were so good last season, they helped us every step of the way.
“We were very hard to beat at home. Now we want to turn Princes Park into a fortress. The more hostile they can make it for the opposition the better it will be for us and we will keep repaying their support.
“The fans will see a team that will run into the ground for them. I don’t think we had many games where we didn’t do that last season and it will be the same this year.
“When the fans are here giving us their support it makes a difference, trust me.
“I just ask them to be patient, as no one is going to win the league in the first few months. But we are going to give it everything we have again and it starts from tomorrow.”
