Shaw admits Town’s pre-season is his toughest yet

Experienced campaigner Jon Shaw believes Town’s pre-season has been the hardest he has experienced during his career, writes Mark Wood.
Jon Shaw controls the ball against Boreham WoodJon Shaw controls the ball against Boreham Wood
Jon Shaw controls the ball against Boreham Wood

Shaw, who netted his first goal against Hitchin on Tuesday night, said: “I would actually say it’s been the toughest of my career and that’s not a lie.

“It’s been very tough, it’s not the funnest part of the season, but it has to be done.

“We came back quite fit as a bunch and you don’t think you are going to get an easy ride. You just think they’re going to push you just as hard to get yourselves even fitter and that’s the idea to make it as easy as possible when the season starts.”

On the 4-0 win over the Canaries, Shaw continued: “It was just what we need I suppose. The lads are tired, they’ve worked hard for a couple of weeks.

“It was tough in the first half, getting our legs going, so overall, a good workout and a good win.

“They worked hard the first half, they played well and they stifled us quite a bit. We had the majority of the ball, but you could say they had the best chances.

“Second half they were probably a little bit tired and we’ve worked hard, we’re a fit bunch and it ended up showing in the end.”

But Shaw believes Town’s recent exertions have stood them in good stead as he played the full 90 minutes and was still going strong at the end.

He said: “I think Ronnie (Henry) will admit to you as well we actually felt quite strong. We were a bit tired, but you still feel like you’ve got a bit in the tank.

“They’ve been looking after us well with supplements and things like shakes and trying to keep our nutrition right as well as putting some serious effort in on the training pitch.

“That’s the case in Portugal, the case the week before we went and I’m sure it’s going to continue for the next few weeks.”

But Shaw warned against reading too much into pre-season, adding: “You could win every game pre-season and get beat your first five league games and nobody remembers it, No-one remembers what happens in pre-season, it’s more about the fitness side of it and getting people working together.”

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