I was driving along the other day and heard an advert on Trent FM for the Priory Clinic - the place to treat addictions. Not for one moment to mock the good work done at such institutions, but I wonder if anyone has ever checked in as a footballaholic?

Among the first to do so would surely be those for whom the pre-season fixtures can't come soon enough. Once upon a time, these were private games behind closed doors. Now, they are as eagerly awaited as many a league game by the loyal few.

In Stoke City, Sheffield United and Cardiff City, we have three teams who will grace a higher stage this term and all will provide a test of our boys' technique, if not their fitness.

But what is the real purpose of a pre-season friendly? In truth, they tell us little about our chances for the upcoming season. Many teams have stormed through July but struggled in August.

In reality, they are a dress rehearsal for the whole club. Has someone dusted down Colin Slater's throne in the pressbox? Are we sure the new wording implanted into the seats doesn't spell something rude if looked at from an obtuse angle?

We are very fortunate at Notts that we have much to look forward to. I dare say they won't be breaking the doors down to watch football again at the likes of Fractured Park in Portsmouth or Blunder Park in Grimsby.. But here, it's a case of "Bring it On!"

Some clubs of course make a bit of a meal of pre-season visitors. Down the road in Derby, they had a tradition - now ended - of inviting some of Europe's top sides to open the season. I was commentating for their in-house TV operation VisionRams a decade ago when no less than Barcelona provided the curtain-raiser.

Sadly, a breakdown in communications between Barca's press officer and ours - plus an absence of names on shirts - meant that I spent most of the first half bemoaning the lack of real star names.

Eventually, I was advised in the time honoured way - an irate tap on the shoulder - that Number 4 on the team sheet - Xavier Hernández Creus - was actually Xavi! Likewise, I thought their number two Sergio García was a golfer! Had they mentioned it was Sergio Ramos Garcia, life would have been so much better.

I'm just glad I wasn't old enough to commentate when Notts played Dynamo Minsk in a pre-season friendly back in the 1970's!

Enjoy your pre-season - but if our tannoy man announces Stoke's Number 9 as Edison Arantes do Nascimento, bare in mind it is probably only Dave Kitson!