PRE-season is about getting everyone fit and getting them through to the main event, which is the first game of the season.

The players need to be fit and to have enough match practice under their belts to ensure that their first 90 minutes does not affect them when they come to that first game.

And I think we have done that.

It has been tough at times because of the numbers we have had - you cannot play people for 90 minutes in every game.

We had to introduce our younger professionals such as Tyler Weir and Kyle McCarthy to gain experience and there were a few triallists introduced to give the main players a rest.

There have been some very good points - our trip to Spain was a fantastic experience and very worthwhile.

We played a decent fixture and the lads got together and enjoyed it a lot.

The spirit we created over there was fantastic and I hope that will give us something over the course of the season.

It has also been good to be able to bring in some younger players and two of them have played, and been involved, in the first-team.

They are just 16 and the sort of lads we want to bring on.

People will have to be patient with that aspect of it and with the fact that we are trying to nurture them. To gain experience of playing with the first-team at that age is fantastic for them and is a great way of showing that we are moving forward as a club.

I really hope that the fans will be patient with us - last year was a very tough season and it will be tough again this time around.

We have a number of players who do not fit into what I am trying to do. They are taking a proportion of our budget and do not figure in my plans and so it is frustrating that we are not able to freshen things up and do what we want to do.

My hands are tied to some extent but I have to get on with it and accept that it's just the way it is.

Accordingly, I hope that people will understand that we have learned things after last year but it remains a big transitional period for the club - what I need is to have the time and the patience allowed me to have an effect on the club.

We have a good enough squad to compete at a good level this year and must make sure that we keep everyone fit.

If not, it will become very difficult.

Survival is still a key aim - you do not go from being a relegation candidate to a play-off contender overnight.

It may happen but we have to be realistic, make the most of what we have and try to use the loan market so that we can compete with the better teams in the division.

With the majority of our performances last year, we showed that we are capable of doing that.

My benefit match on Monday was a fantastic occasion.

I think Owen Coyle and his Bolton team enjoyed the occasion. I believe they appreaciated the way we tried to play, how good the pitch was and how well they were looked after. We have made a great connection in that respect as well.

Thanks to everyone who turned up - I had a great day and was probably the best player when I came on!