Manager's View - Preparations
7th July 2013
So far, so good.
That's the message from boss Jimmy Boyle as the second week of Airdrieonians' pre-season programme comes to an end.
"The first sessions have been fine," he said. "I've been pleased that most of the squad have come back in fairly good shape although two or three have some work to do.
"The general fitness is good. The days of players not doing a thing for six weeks at the end of the season are over. You've got to keep yourself ticking over."
Airdrieonians played their first warm-up match last Saturday, losing 2-0 to SPFL Premiership new boys Partick Thistle.
Boyle added: "I don't like getting beat and told the players that at the start of the game.
"For 60 to 70 minutes, we were comfortable. We had two or three chances and they had a couple of opportunities as well.
"We didn't look out of place despite the team having a few trialists. But we made a few changes and lost two cheap goals from free headers which annoyed me."
The 'Onians travel to Alloa Athletic on Monday night in a fixture open to the public.
Meanwhile, Boyle has given his thoughts on Airdrieonians being drawn at home to SPFL Championship outfit Hamilton Accies in the first round of the Ramsdens Challenge Cup.
"It will be a good game," he said. "Hamilton finished the season really well and it will be an interesting gauge to see where we are.
"We played against them last season and got a win. Unfortunately, things didn't really work out for us after that but that is all in the past.
"It's now about the future."