Defender turned midfielder Oisin McEntee is relishing the start of the new campaign after getting a solid pre-season under his belt.
The 22-year-old sat out of pre-season training last year after injuring his shoulder while on international duty.
McEntee is excited for the new campaign and feels having been involved in preparations for the entire six-week period, he is in a good position heading into tomorrow’s curtain raiser at Morecambe.
“It’s been brilliant for me personally,” he said.
“We’re doing runs as a team, you’re doing gym, then you’re doing extra gym to get your legs ready and injury prevention stuff - it’s everything really. Tactically as well, it does make a huge difference.
“When I came back last season around Christmas time I was playing catch up with all the boys. It’s hard to get fit because there are games week in, week out and you’re doing stuff on your own so it is a vicious cycle when you come back but it’s good to get a good pre-season under your belt and this pre-season has been good and I’m ready to go now.”
As well as the usual preparations, McEntee has also been learning a new position over the summer having slotted into a midfield role, which he also did in the final three matches last term.
McEntee admitted he still has a lot to learn in his new position but he has enjoyed slotting in further up the field.
“It’s been different, definitely,” McEntee commented.
“In the last few games of last season, I got put in the midfield role and I’ve been enjoying it.
“I’ve still got a lot to learn tactically and technically but I feel that I’ve taken to it quite well, taken it in my stride and I’ve just got to keep working at it and learning from the midfielders in the group.”
Excitement is certainly building now as the big kick off approaches.
McEntee feels the team are well prepared to face what he expects to be a tough opponent in newly-relegated Morecambe.
“They’ll be a strong team,” he insists.
“They’ve come down and played in League One last year so they’re going to be strong but we have to do what we’ve been doing all pre-season and focus on ourselves. Everyone is raring to go now, training has been a good standard so hopefully we’ll be okay on Saturday.”
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