IMPROVEMENT and consolidation will be two words likely to figure prominently in the managers of our two League One sides’ pep talks ahead of the new season.

Improvement for Leyton Orient who, after a stuttering campaign last year, got a little too close for comfort to the dreaded drop zone, before surviving with just one point to spare.

And consolidation for Dagenham & Redbridge, eager to cement their place in English football’s third tier after their thaumaturgic promotion via the play-offs last season.

Both Russell Slade and John Still have adopted contrasting strategies this off-season. The O’s boss has rung the changes since being handed the post on a permanent basis, as he embarks on his first full campaign at the helm.

Conversely, Daggers chief Still has been doing his best to keep the exit door at Victoria Road firmly shut, ensuring he holds on to the core of players that served him so well last year.

However, given Dagenham’s minuscule budget, compared to the rest of League One, Still has had to use his considerable nous in the transfer market to bring in the likes of Gavin Tomlin – who has impressed in pre-season – Damian Scannell and Gareth Gwillim.

For Orient and Slade the objective will be to kick on and make inroads into the top half of the table, with an outside chance of a play-off spot.

The early signs from pre-season have been encouraging, with new acquisition Alex Revell’s performances suggesting he could be the first man to break the 15-league goal barrier for Orient since Lee Steele in 2004/05.

Revell has netted three times in pre-season, although even he has been upstaged by the evergreen Scott McGleish, who has bagged six in seven friendlies.

Jonathan Téhoué’s return to the fold is also exciting fans after a promising start to his Orient career last season.

For the Daggers, Still has this week repelled two bids from League One giants Charlton for his star striker Paul Benson. He has also managed to tie two of the standout players from last season to new long-term deals, with defender Scott Doe and winger Danny Green inking three-year contract extensions.

Add to that the fact that experienced campaigners such as skipper Mark Arber and midfielder Peter Gain also remain on the books, then it is no surprise that the bookies believe the division’s minnows will keep their heads above the water this year.

That said, both teams kick off their League One campaigns with testing away games this Saturday. Orient make the long trip to Yeovil Town, where they will be confident of getting off the mark at the first attempt.

But Slade is ready for a difficult opening game. “It’s a tough game away from home, as they proved last year,” said the O’s boss, referring to the 3-3 draw the two sides played out at Huish Park. “They have two experienced centre-halves and they want to play as well.”

The task is much stiffer for Dagenham, and will be considered something of a baptism of fire for Still and his men, as they travel to recently-relegated Sheffield Wednesday.

Installed as one of the hot favourites to bounce straight back into the Championship, Wednesday will be confident of brushing Still’s men aside. However, if last season taught observers anything, it is never to write off the Daggers.

Log on to www.guardian-series.co.uk/sport for team news, updates, match reports and reaction from Leyton Orient and Daggers’ League One games on Saturday.