Mark Yates looks ahead to the first pre-season match of the summer at Whaddon Road versus Wolves.
Robins manager Mark Yates speaking to the media ahead of Friday's pre-season friendly versus Wolves (7.45pm):ÂMark's full press call can be viewed on Robins Player later today.
"The lads are in really good shape and it has been a good six days so far. We will continue making sure the hard work carries on. They came back in really good shape which means we have been able to concentrate on the football a bit more which is what they all want anyway. We have a couple of tough games coming up but they have worked extremely hard and well.
"There is an excitement for the games. It's a new group, a few trialists and we'll probably play two teams in both games (Wolves & Evesham). It's two completely different tests. One against a team promoted back into the Championship and will be a decent force. We want to put on a good show in both games so there are things to work on. We don't want to embarrass ourselves against Wolves but it's all preparation for August 9th and beyond that.
"We're up against Wolves and this is their only game in the UK before going to Ireland so I imagine they will bring a strong contingent with them because they are well supported. Bristol Rovers is a more than adequate replacement for the West Brom game and it'll probably be a better game thinking about it. West Brom actually contacted us and requested the game but playing against Premier League boys sometimes you get a bit of a runaround and you have to defend but hopefully against Rovers we will be more evenly matched and be able to enjoy the game a little more.
"Evesham is a new ground, good facilities and Paul Collicutt does us a few favours throughout the season with his business so I'm more than happy to go back there with a side.
"The plan is to get the trialists a few games up to Rovers and maybe Leamington. That was always the plan and that hasn't changed. We're still looking and we still need three or four more and, whether that comes within the group or elsewhere, we're still making enquiries for a lot of players at the moment. I've got my phone on me and I'm waiting for a few calls back about a couple of players. The next couple are important so I want to get them right. They're all important but especially this next couple we bring in."
For the full 2014-15 fixture list, please click here.