Chris Millington is hoping to take advantage of an 'open league' as Solihull eye National League play-offs

Manager Chris Millington took over the Moors in October last year and led them to a comfortable mid-table finish. Speaking exclusively to DAZN News, he believes the nature of the league this season gives the club a prime opportunity to push for the play-offs

"I'd probably expect it to be a little bit more open this year," Millington said.  

"I think there aren't really any Rochdales or Yorks here, you know, the absolute standout teams.

"There are some standout budgets, and there are some big spenders. But in terms of who would be the nailed-on top two or three, it's very, very difficult to predict. So I think that's encouraging.

"I think last season, if you look at Boreham Wood and Scunthorpe, who certainly weren't the bigger budgets but were well-recruited, well-coached teams. They're the gold standard for the rest of us.

"So, I think, to be able to go, well, if we can recruit well and we can coach to a high degree, then we've got a very good chance of pushing the top end of the division. 

"So, yeah, albeit very competitive, I think it is very open this season."

Part of the reason for its competitiveness is the eclectic mix of managers once again in the league this season. 
 

@SolihullMoores

Millington may sit in the experienced National League category, alongside names like Adam Murray, Luke Garrard and Adam Hinshelwood, but he'll be up against some new names cutting their teeth like Lee Cattermole and Kieron Dyer, as well as young managers still proving a point in Rob Elliot and Robbie Savage. 

Then there's Lee Clark and a returning Gary Waddock who have extensive Football League experience. 

However, the one thing that Millington believes links his fellow managers is just how professional a job they are doing. For him, that's another reason why the National League has become such a strong division. 

"It is a really interesting time in the National League," he said. "Big names who will want to prove themselves at some big clubs, especially in the case of Hartlepool and Southend.

"And Lee at Gateshead has got an opportunity to improve what was probably a little bit of a challenging season up there last season.

"I think the one thing that in my time in the league has become really strong is the professionalism.

"The way managers approach opposition, the analysis they do. I mean, I sit in some managers' offices after a game and almost wonder whether or not they know more about my team than I do!  

"That's the level of detail that a lot of clubs are going to now, and we're the same with the amount of detail we gather in oppositions is extensive. The level of professionalism is fantastic." 
 

@SolihullMoors

It will be that professionalism that spurs Solihull on this season, as Millington continues to progress with a club he has previously said has the right facilities and ambition to really move up a level in the near future. 

That pathway could begin this season by aiming for those play-off spots and the 50-year-old sees no slowing down in the trajectory he was presented with when he joined the club last year. 

"There are massive opportunities," he said, finishing up our conversation.

"It's about working hard. It's about knowing the division. It's about knowing who you are as a coaching team and it's about knowing how to get the best out of a group of players.

"We're really well positioned to do that because I think we have got a really strong, aspirational group of players this season.

"I think certainly over the next 12 to 18 months, we should be mounting a real serious challenge at the top end of the division." 

Solihull will get the first chance to show that ambition when they kick off their campaign away at a returning Harrogate, when once again the competitiveness of the division will be on full display. 

The National League, only on DAZN

Watch over 400 National League games this season with a DAZN NLTV subscription. Each National League side will be shown live more than 30 times in the season, with full match replays and highlights available for every game.

Subscribe to the full Season Pass for £129.99 or in monthly instalments of £14.99 per month. Or get a Monthly Pass for £19.99.

For more information and to sign up, click here now.