Brakes come back with levels high as preparations for new season begin

Leamington boss Paul Holleran believes pre-season training is a different prospect now than in years gone by.
First training session of pre-season for Leamington FC. 
Joe Magunda.
MHLC-30-06-15 Brakes training NNL-150107-101635009First training session of pre-season for Leamington FC. 
Joe Magunda.
MHLC-30-06-15 Brakes training NNL-150107-101635009
First training session of pre-season for Leamington FC. Joe Magunda. MHLC-30-06-15 Brakes training NNL-150107-101635009

A more professional approach by most players meant the searing heat of Tuesday night did come as so much of a shock to his squad when they got their preparations for the new campaign under way.

And while one of the hottest days of the year might not have been the ideal conditions for the team, Holleran feels they all coped well with their re-introduction.

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“Football’s changed a bit over the years,” the Brakes boss explained.

“They all come back a bit fitter than they used to.

“There are one or two who we gave summer programmes to – the ones that had little niggles.

“But in general players are more aware about how to look after themselves and I was pleased with the levels everyone showed.

“Everyone’s a bit different. When you have someone like James Mace who does Ironman competitions, well, you don’t have to worry about them too much.

“It was certainly a tester on Tuesday.

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“It was a very hot night and a hard session but everyone came through pretty well.”

Holleran now says the focus will be on getting ready for the club’s opening pre-season game which comes a week on Saturday against Stafford Rangers.

He continued: “We’ll do things bit by bit and gradually build it up.

“You obviously go about things with the first friendly in mind and we’ll look to introduce some seven v seven and eight v eight games as well as doing the fitness.”

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And as for bringing in new players, the manager says he is not looking for too much more.

“We’ll see how we settle down in training,” he explained.

“We’re nearly there with the squad but we’ll maybe add another.

“There are one or two enquiries out there but there is not a lot happening with bringing in players at the moment.”

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