After PNE's final pre-season friendly, manager Simon Grayson admits the countdown is on for the start of the campaign next week.
The Preston North End boss was speaking following the conclusion to PNE's pre-season calendar after the 0-0 stalemate away to Bolton Wanderers.
In a game where chances were few and far between, the gaffer felt both teams cancelled each other out with both sides opting for similar formations.
"We played a system today that we've not played," said Grayson to PNEPlayerHD after the final whistle.
"However, I wanted to take a look at a couple of things. I didn't realise they were going to play a similar system as well so we cancelled each other out so to speak but I thought we had the better chances."
Today's result means North End go into the new campaign with an unbeaten pre-season record but the gaffer emphasised it's been about getting players fit and ready for August 6th against Reading more than anything else.
He continued: "Since the first day of pre-season, the aim is to get everyone as fit as possible and have as many players available for selection and as it stands at this moment in time, we'd have done that.
"We're really pleased with the application throughout the summer. We've tried different formations and sessions and ultimately we've progressed. We've got some good results and some good performances and some sessions when the players have had to knuckle down and have done ever so well; now the countdown starts until next week and hopefully this time next week, we're standing here positively."
In a game where chances were few and far between, the gaffer felt both teams cancelled each other out with both sides opting for similar formations.
"We played a system today that we've not played," said Grayson to PNEPlayerHD after the final whistle.
"However, I wanted to take a look at a couple of things. I didn't realise they were going to play a similar system as well so we cancelled each other out so to speak but I thought we had the better chances."
Today's result means North End go into the new campaign with an unbeaten pre-season record but the gaffer emphasised it's been about getting players fit and ready for August 6th against Reading more than anything else.
He continued: "Since the first day of pre-season, the aim is to get everyone as fit as possible and have as many players available for selection and as it stands at this moment in time, we'd have done that.
"We're really pleased with the application throughout the summer. We've tried different formations and sessions and ultimately we've progressed. We've got some good results and some good performances and some sessions when the players have had to knuckle down and have done ever so well; now the countdown starts until next week and hopefully this time next week, we're standing here positively."
For more reaction from the PNE gaffer, head to PNEPlayerHD for the full interview here.