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Steve King predicts Dartford’s trip to Slough Town will be a good test of his team’s credentials.
After five successive National League South wins, the Darts have moved into the play-off places, sitting seventh.
They have brought in a host of new signings since King took charge in October, most recently recruiting ex-Gillingham striker Liam Nash and much-travelled left-back Craig Braham-Barrett.
“These are the games where I start to see where we are actually at, like the Dorking game (a 3-2 Dartford victory this month),” said King.
“Slough is a tough place to go.
"They are a solid outfit with some bits of quality in the side.
“I know their managers, Neil Baker and Jon Underwood, very well.”
New signing Braham-Barrett is someone King knows well, with the defender having played under the Darts manager at Farnborough, Macclesfield, Whitehawk and Welling.
“He brings experience and know-how,” King added.
“He has played under me at four different clubs so we know each other very well.
“Another thing is I have said all along we need three full-backs, in case one of them breaks down, and I now have that.”
Forward Nash joins Dartford after leaving league rivals Hemel Hempstead last month, with King noting: “He is at a good age, and he is a goalscorer.”
Sam Blackman has also returned after a successful one-month loan spell with Isthmian South East Hythe which saw the midfielder score four goals, including a late winner in their 2-1 home success over East Grinstead on Saturday.
“I have seen some videos of their games,” King said.
“He has scored four goals, and he scored a late winner on Saturday.
"So, the loan has served its purpose.”
But leaving Princes Park is striker Rowan Liburd, who has returned to Hereford after his one-month loan spell failed to have the desired impact.
King explained: “He’s a lovely fella, a good guy and a true professional, but it just didn’t work out for him.”
Last weekend, goals from Darren McQueen, Aldershot loan midfielder Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong and Luke Wanadio saw Darts continue their fine form as they beat Oxford City 3-0.
King said: “All of the finishes were very good.
“Even with Darren McQueen’s penalty, the opposition teams have been doing research on his penalties, so he has to keep changing where he is putting them.”
Midfielder Luke Allen’s knee injury could keep him out longer than first thought.
