Boss says ‘thought out week’ of intense training will be to squad’s benefit.
An intense week of training at Brooksby Melton College will help our newly formed squad create a strong bond for the season, believes boss Adam Murray.
Our players reported back for pre-season training yesterday and will undergo a long week of tough sessions at the campus in Leicestershire, ahead of Saturday’s first friendly with Rainworth Miners Welfare.
“The squad are looking good,” said manager Adam Murray.
“Obviously with it being their first day back, they went through a series of tests in the morning and in the afternoon we just got them back used to the football and dropped little bits and bobs in, ready to start the real work on Tuesday.
“So [Monday] was a little bit of an introductory day and it’s a good start to the week.”
Asked what he’s got planned for our players over the coming days, our boss continued: “Like I’ve said from day, there will be things that are a little bit outside of the box. There’ll be things which encourage people to come out of their comfort zone and at the same time there’ll be seeds implanted early on as to how we’re going to go about this season.
“From the first minute that the lads walked in, they understood what the targets were for the season. So the stall has been set out early doors and now it’ll be a continual growth of information as the week goes on.”
Our team are set to play over a dozen pre-season games – with opposition ranging from local non-league sides such as Shirebrook Town, Basford United and Carlton Town to established Football League clubs including Leicester City and former FA Cup winners Barnsley.
“A new group has been put together and with it being pre-season there will be a bigger fitness element to things,” said Murray. “That’ll be combined with a tactical element and obviously with a new group we’re putting a big emphasis on the team bonding side of things.
“So there’s a lot to cover and that’s why [we’ve gone] straight into the deep end.”
He added: “There’s going to be no time wasting. The boys are starting at seven o’clock in the morning and will be finishing at half past nine at night. It’s full on days and an intense week which will put people together during every minute of every day.
“It’s an intense schedule, but it’s monitored, it’s thought out and it’s a process that’s been put together by the first team staff and the strength and conditioning coach. We’ve got the sports scientists and analysing guys who go over everything and make sure that we’re not under or over-doing things.”