Not so much in games, but fitness, training and social too. Manager Chris Gibson has decided to structure the whole team and setup very different since he took some experience from a Premier League side. "I have been looking at the way we structure things here and how we focus on the squad as a whole. Last year I was admittedly not on the ball for several weeks of preseason due to personal reasons, but now I’m as focussed as ever! I think things we missed out on or didn’t utilise at times probably cost us I’d say six to eight points during the season. It’s the time you get in preseason with the players that crucial and that’s why they call it preparation! Our preseason is split into two this year; we start on the 4th July at Amhurst Field and will be doing general training for the first four weeks, leading up to the Denmark tour with last year’s Elite and then cutting the squad straight after. We have chosen to do it this way, as it gives us time with the full squad and also for the players released time to find new clubs if they wish. The tour will be somewhat the last time the Elite can show me what they have before I make decisions. They have then had four weeks prep and then a tournament to show me why I should include them in the full U18s setup. The seniors from last year have already been told that they are not totally safe and I will be looking for them to step up another level. The squad cut will then determine people’s places in the side and then we will be looking to push on with specifics for the season ahead. I have planned this year a military assault course for discipline and fitness, we will also be visiting an Injury Clinic for education of treating your body etc and there maybe one or two additional things added too. This will help us boost team morale, team discipline and educate a few too to what can be done to improve.”
The U18s will also be faced with six tough opponents, readying themselves for another assault on the Ridgeons League Youth title. More details on the programme will be released into preseason.