Mark Newson believes Dover will need to be better defensively if they are to challenge for promotion from the National League this season.

Whites were the division’s second highest scorers last season with 85 goals, but conceded 63, more than any other team in the top nine and coach Newson says that is an area they definitely need to improve on.

The signs have been good in pre-season – with just five goals against in six matches – but Newson says the almost totally new-look squad remain a work in progress ahead of the opening league game at Hartlepool on Saturday.

Speaking to the club’s website after Saturday’s 3-0 friendly win over Margate, Newson said: “Offensively we’re looking sharp but there is some work to be done defensively, particularly when we don’t have the ball.

“We have been good going forward and for forwards, it’s important scoring goals for confidence but as you saw last year, we scored a lot of goals.

“We were one of the leading scorers and still didn’t make the play-offs, so that’s not always the main feature.

“One of the main features if you want to win promotion or make the play-offs is don’t concede.

“We conceded too many last year so we need to get it right this year and we’re going to put in an awful lot of work into trying to do so.”

Newson admits going to Hartlepool – relegated from the Football League last year – will be a big ask first up but he says he has been encouraged by the amount of positive energy within the new squad.

He added: “It’s a big game, (playing) the team that came down last season but the new group we’ve got, they’re a different dynamic from last year.

“They’re enthusiastic, young and willing to learn and as coaches and managers, that is something that is fresh. We’ve not got a set team yet and that is why the energy and the positiveness from the players has been good. They are still fighting for places and that’s what we want.”