Not since the warm up for the 2002/03 season have we played so many pre-season games. And this year we are playing twice as many as we have on a couple of occations since then.

Mick must surely be forming a tight squad.
I like the way everyone seems to be geting plenty of game time and a fair crack at the whip. It seems that with such a small squad he is trying to get everyone feeling part of the first team and ready for action.
Lots of play for him to analyse his best 11 aswell as try diferent formations and tactics.

Although with 31 (32 with the new lad) is it such a small squad?

I thought it was 26?

A lot of places in the squad are made up of youth team/first team pro's. Which i think is how mick wanted it, young hungry new pros deserpate for a game rather than old journeymen happy to pick up a wage.

Yes it is 26 (27 with the new lad), I looked at shirt numbers which miss led (or is it lead?) me.

That is a small squad, you could imagine the whole lot may get a chance and be called upon at some point then.