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" We are looking forward to it because the two games that we have had, the Margate game and the Workington game, were really good work-outs. The players looked really sharp, they have come back with a terrific attitude and tonight will be the first benchmark of how far we are away from what we need to be, or if we are actually there where we need to be. So it is a big test, they are Premier League opposition and had a terrific season last year, they survived in the Premier League and it will be a tough game for us.
" It just tells you now that you are getting near to the start of the season. It is a good chance for some of our fans to see Premier League players and it is a good chance for some of our players to gauge themselves against that. Hull are a well supported team so I would imagine that they will bring a few to have a look at their boys and it is a first chance for our fans to see us in a really competitive, tough game. So I would expect a nice little crowd there tomorrow.
" They had their easier game on Saturday against North Ferriby, where they played two teams like we have done. I would think that tomorrow they will know that it is going to be a reasonable test for them as well, so I would think that most of their big hitters, infact probably all of their big hitters will come and play some part in the game. Maybe 70 minutes like the majority of our players, we need to get over the 45 minute mark tomorrow and I think that Hull City will do exactly the same.
" I don't think that anybody wants to lose ever, I don't want to lose tomorrow, I didn't want to lose at Margate or Workington. The fact that people say that we are up against a Premier League team, it is irrelevant really, you want to play them and you want to win every game that you play in. It is not important in terms of three points but it is important in terms of telling us how we compete.
" The attitude that I have got this season is one of real determination and everything that we do, we do right. Players are fighting for their positions, I have told them that and the good thing is that up to press now, some of the younger players, the likes of (Gavin) Rothery and (Michael) Burns and (Gary) Madine and Tom Taiwo who has come in are doing it. "
" They are very, very close to pushing our senior players and that wasn't always the case last season, so I am hopeful that they will push the more senior players and we will get more performance out of them. Hopefully we will have a couple break into the team but they are certainly showing really good signs.
" I think that what we have got to see is more of the same attitude, that is the key to what we are doing. I think that the toughness and the determination in our play is there as well and I think that if we see that then that is fantastic. I think that obviously the increasing improvement in fitness levels which comes with it, the games and the training programme, and it would be nice to score a few goals.
" The boys are buoyant at the moment because they have scored a few goals, they have kept a clean sheet. At the minute everything is going towards us being a big improvement and that was the key, we must improve on last season. I have been really, really pleased with the players, they were fantastic, not just the football but the way that they approached all the work and all the training down in Colchester last week.
" What we are saying is that now we have got to kick on, we have got three good friendlies coming up and people are still putting their case forward for selection for Brentford. So it is more of that but it is more of the same attitude, the attitude is the key for me. I thought that at times last season we didn't have that hunger and that bite and that determination about it.
" When I look at the training and look at the group of players that we have got at the minute, there is a real determination right through the camp. That starts with myself and Dennis (Booth) and Kav (Graham Kavanagh) and spreads right through the playing staff, and we have got a good group this year. "
" What we are trying to do is get through pre-season with as few injuries as possible, and get Danny (Livesey) and Bridgey (Marc Bridge-Wilkinson) fit. They are like two new players, Danny's contribution over the last two years has been immense. Little Bridgey is a really clever player, gives us that pass, that cleverness, that pass that might open up the opposition from midfield.
" Danny gives us toughness, strength, determination, never-say-die wear his heart on his sleeve attitude at the back. So we have got two new players in respect coming back, and it is important that they get back through the pre-season, and they are fit and ready for selection for the Brentford game, and that is important for us.
" We are close to a striker in terms of we keep making enquiries and we are waiting for a couple of things to happen at other clubs. There are a couple of Premier League clubs that are looking at their team and their squad to see what they think will play, and what they think they might let out on loan. So there is that and there are another couple of live ones in terms of maybe buying one or two.
" There are enquiries going on though, I think that we have made six or seven fresh enquiries today about players. What we are trying to do is to get as many warm leads as we can and then trying to make that decision on which one we actually go for. Because it is a really key one and it is an important one, but like I said before, I won't be rushed into it for the sake of getting one in.
" I would feel sure that there will be one in before the start of the season, and that is the same answer to the same question that we have probably been giving over the last three to four weeks. I can assure everybody though that we want to make sure that we get the right player in, the one that is really going to make a big contribution for us. "