SKIPPER Kevin Hill is expecting his Dorchester team-mates to cause a stir this season.

The Magpies have finished 21st, 19th and 17th in the last three years but after a positive end to the 2009/10 campaign, Hill is feeling optimistic ahead of the new term.

The 34-year-old defender, who can also operate in midfield, said: “You’ve got to set high targets and I think we’ll shock a few people this year but all we can do is take each game as it comes. Hopefully by the end we’ll be there or thereabouts.

“We struggled a bit last season early on but from January onwards we had a great run. We’ve kept the same team with one or additions. We’ve got a tough start but if we can be up there early on it will give everyone a lot of confidence.

“We won’t worry about other teams, we’ll let them worry about us. We’ve just got to go out and play our own way of playing rather than worry about what other teams might do.”

Torquay United’s record appearance holder also believes that team spirit will prove key in the Magpies’ quest for a top-half finish.

He added: “The team spirit is brilliant and that can go a hell of a long way.

“Everything feels well-organised at the club, the training is good and we’ve got a great bunch of lads who all get on and enjoy playing together.”

Hill also played down his role as captain, insisting: “Everyone is a club captain when they’re out there on the pitch. I’ve got the armband and it’s my job to keep it but all the lads are leaders out there and that’s what we want.”