David Artell believes he has secured the right blend of opposition during pre-season and says that he is looking forward to his team testing themselves against Bury and Stoke City in readiness for the new season.
Artell is pleased with the pre-season fixtures and says that his players will get the required match fitness ahead of the big kick-off on Saturday 5th August. We then tackle newly-promoted-to-the-Championship Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup on the Tuesday evening.
Artell told crewealex.net: “It is important to get the right blend in pre-season. You want it to be different. You want to play teams better than you, slightly better than you and then, showing no disrespect, worse than you.
“I think we have got that balance right and the players will get their match fitness and confidence up in the earlier games before we face Stoke at home. I’m sure that is one game everyone will be looking forward to it.
“We have covered all bases and hopefully they will bear fruit.”