This time last season the spine of the team was sorted. Stockdale - Dunk, Greer - Stephens, Kayal - Baldock, Hemed. They had all of pre-season to work together, build relationships and get to know each others game. The only player who played through that spine who wasn't here before the players...
Although friendly results really don't matter and anyone working themselves up over them is clearly a bedwetter, it's not just about fitness. It's about getting new players integrated in a side, getting them used to what may perhaps be a different style of play to that of which they are...