Fleetwood Town's longest-serving player Nathan Pond, who was a vital piece of last season's promotion puzzle, reflected on the fitness and the competition within the squad.
By Mike McGough
Fleetwood Town's longest-serving player Nathan Pond, who was a vital piece of last season's promotion puzzle, reflected on the fitness and the competition within the squad.
Town returned to Obertraun on Tuesday afternoon where they stayed two years ago, for a tough run of training sessions which include long runs along the river and bridge.
"It's just as long, it's a tough run but the lads are coming in good times today," he said. "We have great fitness throughout the squad so hopefully we can improve our personal times next time we run the circuit. It's a beautiful place. All the lads are working hard and getting to know the new lads and it's been good so far."
With pre-season season paving the way for a return to the squad for Keiran Charnock and Rob Atkinson, who both had their respective seasons cut short last year with injury, the challenge for the centre- half position where Pond finished the term partnering Steve McNulty, is greater than ever.
"It's not just centre- half that are challenging for positions, there are challenges all over the pitch, but it improves the squad really," he said. "It keeps everyone on their toes, so that's a good thing".
The team also enjoyed three 20 minute matches which adds to the fitness of the players along with the added pleasure of using the ball, something that does not always happen so early into pre-season. This will allow the new players to get familiar with their teammates at an early stage.
Pond added: "Yes it's good to get into match mode again. The three 20 minute games we played on Wednesday allowed us to mix the teams up so it's good to play with all the lads."
