Ready for the big kick-off

By Alex Inglethorpe
Exeter boss and BBC Sport columnist

I have been in a number of pre-seasons that I really did not enjoy, it all seemed to be run, run, run

The new Conference season starts on Saturday and, with just a few days to go, I feel a bit like a kid waiting for Christmas.

The pre-season is almost over and I am pretty pleased with the way it has gone.

The whole point of pre-season is to make sure your squad have bonded, are fit and without any major injuries - and in those terms I am very happy.

It does not guarantee that we will win against Gravesend and Northfleet on Saturday but knowing my team are as well-prepared as possible certainly makes sleeping easier at night.

Pre-season started on 1 July and I tried to work in a modular fashion, starting with our defensive structure and moving forward through the team.

I used various techniques, such as PowerPoint presentations detailing what I wanted, which we then took out on to the training ground.

I have been in a number of pre-seasons that I really did not enjoy, it all seemed to be run, run, run - and I believe it is important to make them as enjoyable as possible.

We brought players in over the summer but our budget is £130,000 less than last season so everyone at the club - behind the scenes as well as the playing staff - must really represent value for money.

The early pre-season games can sometimes be a bit disappointing as players are still a little out of synch with each other.

The fans want to see the new signings in action and can sometimes expect a bit too much too soon.

Exeter has a large catchment area and compared to some other Conference clubs - and indeed Football League sides - the players have quite a high profile.

If we can gather some sort of momentum when the season starts we can really pose a challenge

At Exeter half of the charm and excitement is that the players are recognised around town and with that comes pressure to succeed.

When the team is doing well people often congratulate the players, which makes them feel good about themselves and breeds confidence.

But it is a bit of a double-edged sword in that if we are not doing so well people also have their say about that.

With the benefit of hindsight, what I would not do again during pre-season is play three games in six days.

The club did not really have any choice because Birmingham changed the date of our match with them.

The chance to play a Premiership side - and one that allowed us to keep all the gate receipts - was too much to turn down.

In addition to the cash benefits it was a good chance for my players to test themselves and I'm convinced that if we can gather some sort of momentum when the season starts we can really pose a challenge.

Last season we missed out on a play-off place by just one point and were only three off second.

Introducing the play-offs to the Conference has breathed new life into the division.

We have a lot of heart and spirit at the club and there is a lot of togetherness.

It would break my heart if my Exeter side came to be remembered for taking Manchester United to a replay in last season's FA Cup.

I am ambitious and have aspirations in management and I would like to fulfil them at Exeter.

Roll on Saturday.