PAUL Hurst believes Forest Green Rovers are finally going to live up to their pre-season tag of title favourites this time around.
The Gloucestershire club have perennially been picked as one of the main challengers for the Conference crown, given that they have the backing of multi-millionaire Dale Vince.
And after making a host of early summer signings, Hurst believes Ady Pennock's (pictured) men are his side's main title threat this season.
He told the Telegraph: "I was speaking to Darrell Clarke at Bristol Rovers and we both said that some teams are going to be really strong, but the league is going to be tighter this season.
"Saying that, one team always seems to lead the way and at this early stage, I'd look at Forest Green and say that they'd go into the season as favourites.
"I've said it for a few years now, but with a different mentality and a different manager, I think they'll be right up there."
As well as Rovers, plenty of other clubs around the league have been busy bolstering their squads ahead of the big kick-off on August 9.
Hurst has been impressed with some of that business, but acknowledges that the departure of hotshot striker Lee Gregory is a big blow to last season's play-off rivals Halifax.
As reported, the 25-year-old has signed for Championship side Millwall in a £250,000 deal.
He continued: "I think Halifax have got a few lads that would have created a bit of interest, but I think Neil (Aspin) was hopeful of keeping the majority of those.
"With Gregory, it was a move that had been rumoured to be happening for a long time but he'll be difficult to replace with the amount of goals he got for them.
"Obviously there was a decent fee involved and, from Neil's point of view, he'll be hoping to be able to use that.
"Other clubs are slowly but surely doing some business. Woking have done very well, for example.
"They went on a very good run towards the end of the season and have managed to keep their players together.
"They'll be hoping that gives them a chance next season because they were certainly one of the form teams at the back end of last season."
