CHIPPENHAM Town assistant boss Colin Bush is positive the Bluebirds playing staff will be ready for the increased demands of the Dr Martens League Premier Division by the time Chelmsford City travel west for the season's curtain raiser on August 17.
Bush, the man responsible for first team training at the club, has held three gruelling sessions a week for the past month and believes his players will once again reap the benefits of his stringent pre-season regime once the season begins.
The Bluebirds' superior fitness has clearly been a factor in their heady rise from the Screwfix Direct Premier Division to the pinnacle of the Dr Martens League over the past two years.
Bush reckons it will again be vital ingredient next year, but is also concentrating on speed and ball work.
He has been pleased with the players' response to his taxing sessions and feels the new, more varied approach has been well received.
Said Bush: "We have had six or seven sessions so far and it has been superb. We set out a programme for pre-season training and have changed it a bit. There is a lot more variety now Instead of running around the field, last week we took them for a run along a cycle route from Chippenham to Calne first of all and on Saturday, we brought in a speed guy to alter it a bit.
"We have quality players at the club and need to keep their minds interested during pre-season. Bringing different people and things in keeps it all nice and fresh all the way through."
Bush has drawn on his considerable experience at both Calne Town and Chippenham when planning the pre-season programme.
His club will take another step into the unknown next season, but he believes his methods will ensure the players are ready.
Said Bush: "I've done this for eight years now at Screwfix and Dr Martens level and I know what it takes to get a team fit. They have to get the miles under their belt in pre-season.
"As we move towards the Chelmsford game, the training will be more about sharpness and speed. The pre-season games will be about that as well, and people do tend to forget that they are part of the process."
Bush is also conscious of the fact that keeping possession will be crucial to the Bluebirds' aim of a mid-table spot next term.
He said: "Every player from the goalkeeper to number 15 needs to be capable of holding onto the ball and making sure passes connect. They must all be comfortable on the ball.
"Last season we probably weren't the best footballing side in the division, but were among the two or three fittest sides in the Western Division and that counts for a hell of a lot."
Bush and manager Tommy Saunders will take stock of how a largely new squad perform in their series of pre-season friendlies before deciding upon the side's pattern of play for the new campaign.
"The first three friendlies against Calne, Corsham and the Isle of Wight will see a lot of people being given a run out, but by the time the Yeovil game comes around we will try and settle it down a bit.
"We've always played a rigid 4-4-2, but it is too early to tell what we'll do yet. We may play five at the back on occasions, but that is for Thomas and myself to decide once the squad pans out a bit."
Manager Saunders has made nine new additions to his squad in recent weeks, but Bush feels the existing players and new arrivals have bonded well in pre-season training ahead of the club's biggest challenge to date.
"I can't fault the atmosphere and attitude in training at the moment and they are all working hard."
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