DORCHESTER can be “a force to be reckoned with” according to boss Ashley Vickers.

The Magpies enter the new Blue Square Bet South campaign in high spirits following a positive end to last season’s assault.

Chairman Shaun Hearn is eyeing a top-six finish while supporters of the club, who have witnessed their fair share of relegation tussles in recent years, are hoping for mid-table mediocrity at the very least.

But in order to hold their own and break into the top half of the table for the first time since the 2005/06 season, Vickers has called on his players to fulfil their potential and perform as a unit.

He said: “Togetherness is what we will rely on. I have never said ‘we’re going to do this’ or ‘we’re going to do that’ this season. However, I do believe that there are no limits on what we can achieve.

“If we all do our jobs and play as we know we can then we will be a force to be reckoned with.

“We can set targets but they have to be broken down into small steps.

“There will be mistakes along the way and things that don’t go our way but as a team and a group of individuals we will make steps forward.

“It all comes down to making sure we know what is required week in, week out.”

Looking ahead to his first full season at the helm, Vickers also revealed that the Magpies will scout every opposition prior to playing them, as well as outlining the need to improve their away form and maintain their impressive results at the Avenue Stadium.

Ebbsfleet United, Farnborough, Dartford and Boreham Wood are the new additions for the 2010/11 season with the first three tipped to be among those chasing promotion to Blue Square Bet Premier.

Asked for his view on the teams to watch, the Magpies’ manager replied: “The clubs who have the big budgets. Farnborough and Dartford have just come up, Chelmsford and Bromley should do well, Dover are spending big but then so are Eastleigh. In fact there are a lot of clubs who, when you look at them, have good sides.

“But you need belief and togetherness, as well as a certain amount of luck. There’s not a lot of difference in terms of ability.

“We won’t be a soft touch anymore that’s for sure. We’ll get in people’s faces and everyone will know they’ve been in a game.

“The lads are fit but so will the other teams be. You have to earn everything in this league but we have got a group of players who want to win.

“There is also huge competition for places, something we never had before. If they do not perform then they won’t play. That’s not to make them play with fear but to the best of their ability.”

Meanwhile, Vickers has announced that trialist striker Rico Wilson is expected to join the Magpies later this week but hot prospect Jamie Symes, 17, is no longer with the club having rejected the chance to sign a new deal.

He said: “Jamie did not want to sign a contract so he’s a Bridport player now. We wanted him to come on board and then sign dual registration forms with Bridport, but he wasn’t prepared to do that.

“That’s his decision and we wish him well.”