DEREK FAZACKERLEY put Town’s players through their paces for a fifth time today then warned: “You ain’t seen nothing yet!”
The Galpharm coach is ready to ratchet up the scale of the sessions as Town work towards their opening friendly at AFC Emley a week tonight (7.30).
Ex-England and Premier League coach Fazackerley has joined forces with manager Lee Clark, assistant boss Terry McDermott, performance coach Steve Black and development coach Paul Stephenson to plan a training camp next week.
The location and details are being kept under wraps, but Fazackerley explained: “It’s a chance to further integrate the new players into the group, step up the physical side even more after a very good opening week and begin to nail things down tactically.
“We then go into two friendlies in as many days (Town head for Wakefield FC a week tomorrow) and it’s all about timing things correctly so we go into the first League I match (at Notts County on August 7) ready for action and with as fit a squad as we possibly can have.
“It’s a long season, but like every side, we have to be able to hit the ground running and lay a platform so that instead of playing catch-up, we’re the side the others are chasing.”
Fazackerley feels Town have got the balance right in a 10-match friendly schedule which includes a Wednesday, July 21 home showdown with Blackburn, the club he served both as a player and a coach.
“Six are against sides below us on the ladder, three against teams from the Championship and then there’s the Blackburn game, so there’s a bit of something for everyone,” he said.
“Of course Rovers game will be interesting for me personally, and while they haven’t made any signings as yet, I know Sam Allardyce will be keen to bring one or two in and move the club further on after an encouraging time last season.”
Meanwhile, Town have been unable to reach agreement with Krystian Pearce (inset) over a new deal, so the centre-back who made just one start last season has left the Galpharm.
