Barnet kick-off their Skrill Premier campaign this Saturday against Chester in what will be the first ever competitive Barnet game at The Hive.

With much deliberation and talk about who should start in Edgar Davids' 4-3-3 formation, here is my starting XI for the upcoming campaign.

In goalkeeper there is only one viable option, Graham Stack. Emerging as a cult hero due to that penalty save against Wycombe and an eccentric personality he will be a calm figure between the sticks again.

While we lack no natural right-backs Andy Yiadom is adapting to the role with great affect.

Traditionally a winger, he uses his bombarding style of play from the role of full-back to add to the attacks, whilst remaining adept defensively.

On the other defensive flank, I'd have Elliott Johnson. He defies his youth with measured and composed performances; making the news that he and Luke Gambin have signed new deals at absolutely brilliant.

In the heart of defence the preferred pairing I'd choose would be David Stephens and new acquisition Anthony Acheampong.

The latter has earned rave reviews when at Welling United and has seemingly settled in so far.

Stephens - the club's Player of the Year - is arguably the best in his position in the Conference, having excelled in League Two.

My first centre-midfield pick is Curtis Weston. I think he will be the unsung hero of the team next season, with him affectively acting as the 'fifth defender'. He sweeps into other positions which allows others to roam forward.

Irishman Mark Byrne would join him in the centre and his tenacious nature and technical ability gives him the potential to be one of the side's key players.

While many would plump for Edgar Davids for the final berth, I would disagree.

He may add leadership but his all-round ability is not good enough to succeed and we need one attack-minded centre-midfielder to increase our goalscoring potential.

That is why I would choose Dominic Vose, as illustrated in my article last week.

On the left-wing, I'd go for another graduate of the Barnet Academy in Gambin. A bundle of energy and he is a battler and a constant menace. He has a superb final product that should stand him in good stead for the upcoming season.

On the opposite wing would be Keanu Marsh-Brown. Full of pace, he is an attacking winger who shone on the backend of last season. He clearly has the talent to succeed at a higher level and could really exert this ability this year.

Finally my lone striker would be Marciano Mengerink. This is the hardest position to pick with the other strikers all having strong cases. I have picked the Dutchman as he is a natural finisher, very quick and good at linking up.

On the whole it is a side I feel most Barnet fans would agree with.

I have included a few players who I think have the potential to be the surprise stars this season.

With a good strength-in-depth, it allows for competition in all areas of the squad – which can only be a good thing.