Neil Mellor takes five north of the border to talk to the Club's official website about how the lads are 'tuning in' for the new campaign.
The North End striker once again finished as the Club's leading goalscorer in 2009 and he'll be aiming to be top of the charts in 2010. But he knows that he faces stiff competition from his striking team-mates and though he's on hot form in pre-season he reckons he would swap all that to grab more goals when the real stuff starts next weekend.
Mells you did well when we went north of the border last season, scoring a great volley at Motherwell and you are on form again this season.
As a striker you want to score goals and pre-season is a good time for that. Last pre-season I was on fire and I got seven or eight goals but ended up only getting 12 for the season. I would happily settle for no goals during pre-season and plenty during the season.
The Gaffer spoke after the Stoke game, where you scored twice, and he said he has encouraged you to attack defenders a bit more. Is that something you are trying to bring into your game?
I feel as though with the right sort of encouragement it gives me the positive attitude and confidence to go and attack the defenders and try and make something happen. The worst thing that could happen is that the defender tackles me and we get a throw-in or a corner or something like that, so I'll try and get at the defenders and create something whether it is a cross or a shot it can only be good for the team.
How's the week north of the border been so far? Have you managed to get a lot of work done up there?
It's been pretty much a tour of Callum's childhood life. We've seen his primary school, we've seen his local shopping centre, it's a lovely place with some lovely scenery but I'm getting a bit tired now, I think a tour of Callum's local library is next on the agenda.
Some of the lads took the Celtic game in at Parkhead on Wednesday night. Were you there?
No. I enjoy football but for me it wasn't really a great game to go and watch, I'd sooner go and watch Celtic play Rangers or something like that.
What about your blossoming partnership with Jon Parkin. You seemed to have a good understanding with him against Stoke?
I think the four of us have worked well together during the season. Hopefully the Gaffer will keep faith in the four of us and share it out through the season, whoever is in form and scoring goals should be playing. We've all got a good understanding and we all work well with each other so whichever pair goes out there we will do our best.
The fans will probably think that the team the Gaffer picks to play against Hibs on Saturday will be close to the team he is going to pick for the opening day of the season. Do the players feel that way as well?
No, not at all. I'd be amazed if that was the starting eleven, I expect there will be someone from Bristol City watching the game and taking notes. There's no way I expect the starting eleven on Saturday to be the same as the one at home to Bristol City, the Gaffer may change it or he may decide to keep it like that. Last year I don't think he did it when we played Crewe in our last warm-up match so I would be surprised if he did it this year.
It's a good little fixture to have, the Anglo-Scottish element will add a little bit of spice to it.
Yes, it will be a tough match. The football up here is a lot different to what it is in England, a side like Hibs would probably the equivalent of a top Championship team or a lower Premier League team. We understand it will be a tough game but we will certainly be trying to win the game.
Has the Gaffer begun working on the more technical elements of play yet or is he still running the proverbials off you?
He's getting us sharpened up now, ready for the season, we're getting tuned in for our jobs. We are looking at set-pieces and certain tactical aspects of our play and that's what we need, to tune in and remind ourselves what our jobs are.
