"Fitness levels are good at the moment. I did a bit of work over the summer and pre-season has been hard which is to be expected. Judging by the games and the results we have had so far that everyone has come back fit and we have come back flying. I think you get used to pre-season more than anything and we've done that many know. This is the tenth pre-season I've done so you get used to it but obviously it has to be done. The first few weeks we had to do the really hard physical stuff and we have had the balls out early this year but it has been enjoyable as well so it has been okay".

"There is a sense of expectation obviously because of where we finished last year and we have picked it up again this season. Training has been sharp the same as it was at the end of last season and the results have shown that and you can tell around the club there is a good atmosphere. The improvements in the facilities at the club show that we are moving in the right direction. The gym has been done which has been a big help for the lads after training and the training ground has been soughed out so everything is going in the right direction. I think I needed that 45 minutes against Radcliffe. You obviously enjoy game situations as a player and it was a good test for us. There was a large crowd there to see the new players and overall it was enjoyable".

"The new players have brought different qualities in. Stephen Dawson has come in after a good year at Mansfield and Sodje came in who we knew all about after his loan last year. Wayne Brown has come in and he had a good season last year as well at Hereford. He did well against us last year and got as few clean sheets so hopefully he will do the same for us this year. Saturday will be the first time I have played against Huddersfield since I left four years ago so I am looking forward to it. There are a few lads there that I still know so it will be nice to see them again so it should be a good day".

"The main thing to take out of these games is fitness. We have a few more games coming up like the big ones against Sheffield Wednesday and United. Fitness is the important thing but we like to win in front of our own fans but it is mainly a fitness exercise. It's important we get the friendlies out of the way so then we can prepare for the Brentford game which is an important game. We won our first game last year which didn't really spur us on but hopefully it will this year. I hope relegation fights are a thing of the past this year. I have been in one the past three years and the lads will be trying as hard as they can. Playoffs would be the aim for us this year and there is no reason why we can't achieve it. Towards the end of last season we had one of the best records in the league and if we keep that going hopefully we can achieve it".

"Obviously I will play wherever the gaffer tells me to play but I would rather play in midfield. I think I fitted into that role well last year and I feel that is my strongest position. It is a big honour to wear the captain's armband and I think it brought the best out of me and hopefully it will continue this year".