Forward looking ahead to pre-season preparation
Exeter City forward Alex Nicholls is feeling refreshed and ready to go at the start of the pre-season preparations, as the players begin their groundwork for the season’s start in August.The former Northampton and Walsall man is embarking on his first full season as a pro – he joined the Grecians initially on loan last September and then turned it into a permanent deal in the winter transfer window.
And after two months away from the field, he is glad to be back at the Cat & Fiddle – in the meantime, he has kept his fitness at a good level, without overdoing it.
“It’s gone quickly – it was nice to have a break and spend some time with the family on holiday, but it is always nice to get back in as well,” said Alex. “I feel well rested and recovered from last season and I am ready to go again.
“If you speak to any professional footballer at this moment, they’ll tell you that you can’t sit at home all summer and do nothing – you have to look after yourself. But at the same time, you can’t do too much.
“I feel like I have found a good balance over the close season and ticked over nicely and I am ready to go.
“We sat down and spoke to the manager yesterday and it’s all about the first game now against Yeovil. That is when we need to be peaking and at the peak of our fitness and that is what we are aiming to do.”
Nicholls completed a pre-season with the Cobblers last year – but it came off the back of a long spell out of the game with a broken leg and off the back of no competitive appearances in almost two years.
So this pre-season will be a return to normality for the Stourbridge-born forward – and his ambition is to be on the first teamsheet of the season against the Glovers.
“I kind of feel normal again now,” he continued. “Last pre-season, I was in a lot of pain although I did manage to get the sessions done. But I am in no pain now and I am enjoying the work.
“For me now, all of this is about gearing up to be ready for the first game of the season and trying to make sure I am in the starting XI and I want to give myself the best opportunity to do that and to do that well.”
You can watch the full interview with Alex on Grecian PlayerHD below.