Skipper impressed with the start to the 2012.13 preparations...
Neal Bishop says that the squad can’t wait for the season to come around, following a lively opening to pre-season training.
The players returned from their summer break on Tuesday and immediately got to work on preparing a push for promotion to the Championship.
So far eight new players have been added to the ranks ahead of the 2012.13 campaign, with more expected to arrive in the coming weeks.
Bishop has been encouraged by the desire of the new signings and feels that they are going to fit in well.
The skipper told Magpie Player: “I’m not one of those that looks at names and what they’ve done in the past, because you get players that have played at higher levels and they drop down for one last pay day.
“That’s not what we want and it’s not what’s going to get us promoted.
“We want players who are hungry, who want to do something and want to push on, and that’s exactly the kind of players that the gaffer’s brought in.
“Looking at them and speaking to them, you can see exactly why he’s signed these players.
“They’re all ambitious, they’ve all got good attitudes and hopefully they’ll all fit in well.”
Bishop was glad to return from the off-season but feels refreshed after recovering from a rollercoaster 2011.12 season.
“I’ve loved my time off but by the end of it you do get a bit bored,” he continued.
“It’s good to get back in and get kicking a ball around, because you are ready to get back.
“I think we all feel the same way, we’ve enjoyed our time off but we know what we want to achieve this season and from day one it’s heads down and focus on what we want to do.
“It’s a credit to the lads that they’ve come back in decent shape.”
For the latest pre-season interviews with the squad, sign in to Magpie Player.