Development Squad Head Coach Stephen Crainey spoke to the club on Monday afternoon after his side’s first pre-season session back at Poolfoot Farm.
The Under-23s made their way back to the Fylde Coast this week and put themselves through their paces in the gym and also on the pitch, doing an initial stretch session and a bleep test, in front of the Development Squad coaches and Head Coach Simon Grayson.
Here’s what Stephen had to say in his interview:
On the first day back…
“On a personal level, it’s nice to be back in after having a six-week break and enjoying time with the family. It’s great to see the lads in good condition they have all come back in.
“They started out the day in the gym doing some weights and getting their body fats measured with the physios to make sure that everything was fine with them.
“After that, they went out on the grass and they know that the first day back always means a bleep test, which gives us staff an idea of where they’re all at fitness-wise and, touch wood, they are all in good nick and will maintain that for the rest of the season.”
On the group of players…
“The group is looking good this year. I’m excited to work with the group in terms of numbers as I’ve got 14 players whereas, in previous years, it’s been much smaller than that. With that, I look at it as I have an opportunity to get more players into the first team and it’s my job to do that.
“We’ve got some good players in the group and hopefully, at some point this season, they can start pushing the first team lads who are in the slots above them and that’s what they have to do. It’s my job to get them in a position where they can compete for those jerseys.”
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