Looking at our 2025 squad and how it's shaping up we will have potentially a lot of new combinations. We have completely new centres, halfbacks and backrow forwards.

This is going to take time to settle down as players learn to run off each other and work together in defence. The entire edge defence on both sides could be completely different. While Keyes has been here before he's new to most of the side, such has been the player turnover since 2019. Meadows is brand new. They've been recruited to improve our ends of sets, kicking game and game management. It's a big job with a lot of unfamiliar players.

So while we're all quite rightly expecting to be one of the favourites this season I wouldn't be surprised to see a few scratchy performances early on. At least with Nobby in charge we have some experience there to help things bed in.

The positive being we've done our business early and they'll all have a full pre-season together.

But yes, it will likely be a build through the early weeks of the season

We've already had a friendly against Keighhtly announced for pre-Christmas, and I reckon we'll have another four friendlies all through January and the first week of Feb.

I think friendlies (not an excessive amount though) will be important in picking a starting line up and developing a joint understanding amongst the players. It will take a bit of time to gel fully, but it will for most teams. Hopefully the extra quality in the team this year will see us through an potentially patchy early displays.

4 friendlies was far too many last year. Personally think 2 is enough.

4 is too many for your first team regulars. You could still have 4 games and use a couple for reserves and fringe players and youngsters.

You also need to allow for postponed games, arranging only 2 would be a risky strategy.

3 then?

With the squad size we have and based on previous seasons, I think there will be 2-3 where there is a mix of first team and youth, with one more aimed at predominantly fringe players.

Have i read some where we have a friendly with Leeds lined up? Or have I dreamt this?

We usually have Leeds. It’s an annual thing

Nobby in the glory years once told he would much prefer not to play preseason games as they offer nothing of any use training is far more important. The only purpose they serve is for the fans.

...and a bit of a money spinner - at least you'd hope so - depends on how expensive it is to open the stadum.