Asked how the players looked, he told us, "Good, they have come back in a good condition, trained well, they are looking fit so I'm pleased with the group of players who have reported back."
"We gave the players a programme over the summer, we've also got some new players in so spirits are good. They've come back in good shape and they have 4 or 5 weeks to get themselves prepared mentally and physically for the coming ten months. I've been delighted the efforts so far."
Friday was the first proper session but Thursday saw the players report to the clubs indoor facility at Manhattan Works for fitness tests ahead of the pre-season work. Paul told us the benefits of these tests, "Just having a gauge to where they are, the fitness levels. We'll retest them again in four weeks time, it's having a look at the speed tests, the agility, yo-yo tests, their endurance, I think thats the important thing, seeing what players are at what level, but the condition they have come back in has been terrific."
The squad fly out to Hungary next Thursday for a week long training camp. Paul has already been over to view the facilitates and told us the purpose of the trip, he told us, "It's a good training camp, the facilities, good weather, just to get the players together. The new players, gel them as quickly as we can, working the team shape, still building towards the fitness side of it. It will be hard work, the seven days will be tough. Triple sessions in there every day. The players are going to a fantastic facility, I've been over myself."
Asked if the players are likely to see any game time in Hungary, Paul said, "There will be no matches, the whole purpose was the get the players together, the amount of players we have brought in, to try gel them as quickly as possible, get to know each other, different personalities so it'll be a good working week."