Following the squad’s pre-season fitness tests on Tuesday morning, Iron boss Russ Wilcox now can’t wait to get going with full training.
The players return next Thursday for five and a half weeks of pre-season training where he stated the hard work will commence.But the manager did say that the step up to League One will mean that a tough few weeks lie in store for the squad before the start of the new campaign.
He told The Iron Player: “The players are in next Thursday and Friday so the first two days won’t be too heavy and then we’ll get into the hard work.
“We need to be fitter and stronger than we were last season as we’ve just stepped up a level so it will be a tough pre-season.
“The scientific side of it has changed now, we’ve got heart rate monitors so we know what zone they’re working in.
“It used to be run run but the balls come out earlier now.
“It has to be all structured nowadays because we need to make sure they all get through that 5 and a half week block without any injuries and if we can get through that then we’ll be fine.”
Next Thursday will mark two months since the end of the 2013-2014 season as United prepare for the new campaign on Saturday 9 August.
There’s plenty for the squad to get stuck into during the course of the five and a half week pre-season schedule and Wilcox revealed that it will give him a good chance to have a look at different shapes and systems ahead of life in the third tier.
“Ball work will be introduced early, probably in the second week (of pre-season),” he added.
“The intensity increased as the fitness levels get better but you have to be flexible as well with it.
“If you’ve got two days that are heavy, then we’ve got to understand and know when the players are tired.
“It’s all structured, we’ve got a full five and a half week plan in place with the games in between as well.
“We’ll do some 11 v 11 in house games as well and we’ll have a look at different shapes and systems so we’re really looking forward to getting back now.
“It was great to see the lads in today and I’m looking forward to working with them next season.”
See much more from Russ Wilcox on The Iron Player.