The hard work begins for the Doncaster Rovers squad.
Assistant Manager Brian Horton declared that the hard work is underway for the Rovers boys as they complete their first week of pre season training.“It’s fantastic to be back in pre season training. This is what it’s all about.
“Obviously in management it never stops over the summer, you’re planning for pre season, new players coming in and pre season games- so it’s constant, but there’s nothing like being back on the training pitch.
“Everyone is buzzing, there’s a lot of spirit around the camp and it’s a young squad out there at the moment which is great.
“The first few days are all about getting fit and working hard, it’s not easy but they players have done well since being back.
“It’s important that we work hard and forget about last season now, it’s gone. We know what we need to do this season.
“The friendlies have come around really quickly- we start next week. The manager is working very hard to get new players in so that’s on the backburner until Saturday when we might play our first practice match.
Doncaster Rovers play Championship sides Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham United at the Keepmoat Stadium in pre season, but Horton believes this is just the preparation the team needs.
“It will definitely be good for us, you want to play good teams in pre season to prepare in the best possible way.
“It’s all about that first game at Yeovil. We start off against Bradford Park Avenue, then Lincoln, then Grimsby and then we step it up against Sheffield Wednesday and newly promoted Rotherham so we have a very good build up.
“We’re also playing Huddersfield in Portugal which will be tough. All the work is geared towards that match at Yeovil. Yes, we want to win games in pre season, but mostly it’s about getting fit and not getting any injuries. We want a full compliment of players for that first fixture, and anything we’re not happy with we aim to put right in pre season.
“The majority of players have come back in really good shape and we’re happy with them. They needed a break. Everyone was really disappointed with what happened last year but your body and mind need a rest at the end of a long season like that.
“They’ve all come back full of enthusiasm for this season which is exactly what you expect.
“We want a vibrant group and we want an ambitious group, and that’s what we have here.”
The full interview with Brian Horton is available now on ROVERS PLAYER.