It is that time of year, with the start of the season so nearly upon us, that fans from all clubs dare to dream that this could be their year.  

In an unusual pre-season development, Barnet have even leapt from third to second in the Conference Premier league table following Aldershot’s 10 point deduction without a ball being kicked. Let’s hope the bees can climb one more place come the end of the season!  

For now all the focus will be on the pitch when all of the talking, blogging and pundits count for little compared to performances on the pitch and points on the board come 5pm on Saturday.

Barnet have kept the core of their League Two squad together, with some notable additions.  Anthony Acheampong has signed from Welling to boost defensive options, whilst Keanu Marsh-Brown, who played for the Bees towards the end of last season, has signed permanently.  

Up front Dutch forward Marciano Mengerink has already scored 3 goals in 2 games and looks an excellent acquisition. Spanish midfield duo Luisma Villa and Roberto Garcia Casabella complete the quintet of new faces at The Hive.

The squad numbers recently revealed by the club also tell their own story. First up is Barnet’s Number 1 – not Graham Stack, who keeps his 2012/13 number of 29, but player/manager Edgar Davids, who is sure to have a big impact on and off the pitch this season.  

At 2 Andy Yiadom looks like his conversion to right back towards the end of last season could be a more permanent in 2013/14.  David Stephens is another player who keeps last season’s squad number, 30, former Welling man Acheampong gets the number 5 shirt, with Jack Saville at number 6.  

Elliot Johnson shoots up to number 3 in recognition of the break through into the first team he made last term. The central midfield axis of Weston and Byrne take numbers 4 and 8 respectively, whilst new signing Keanu Marsh-Brown is number 7.  Luke Gambin, who recently signed a new contract with the club alongside Johnson, is number 11.  

Upfront Jake Hyde is Barnet’s number 9 whilst Harry Crawford takes the number 10 shirt. Mengerink’s squad number has not yet been announced, but he’ll be pushing for a place up front as will John Nurse, number 28, whilst Villa and Casabella also provide competition in midfield.  

I just can’t wait to take my place at The Hive in the West Stand on Saturday to watch this season’s drama to unfold!