Dante Polvara spoke to RedTV after one of the training sessions in Portugal this week. The full interview is available to watch by clicking here

“The boys are buzzing to be here. It is a great set up. There is always a slight uneasiness at first when you have the transition to new staff and new players, but everyone seems very happy. There is a real vibrancy around the camp. It is nice to come to Portugal in the sun and enjoy some time together. The training has also been really good.

“I tried to take as much time off during the summer as I could but really pushed it the last two weeks before coming back. You need that base or otherwise pre-season is a real drag. I have definitely learned from the past and I feel really good at the moment.

“It is a hugely important week. The most important thing for me is the chemistry amongst the boys – also between the players and the staff. You do that by spending time with each other around meals and in the villas. That is important when you go through tough times during the season. You have to stick together and lean on each other.

“It is also important from the tactical side. From day one he has made it clear, some really important fundamentals as to how he wants to play and we have tried to batter that. There is obviously some disconnects from time to time but that is what pre-season training is all about. We are communicating well about it and having little chats away from the training pitch as well as we figure out exactly what he wants. It is enjoyable listening to new ideas. It is definitely a style of play that everyone is enjoying. That is important because you need everyone on board and committed. I feel that way and I think I can feel that reciprocated throughout the group.”