Water way to start on a glorious day

Town finally get their Blue Square Bet Premier campaign up-and-running today at home to Gateshead and the former Darlington man can’t wait.

He said: “Everyone’s looking forward to starting the season. We’ve had a good pre-season, everyone’s worked hard.

“The manager’s put a plan in place for the season and we are just looking forward to getting on the way and putting that to the test on Saturday.”

On the weather conditions, he continued: “It is a bit harder obviously. You’ve got to be well hydrated, and you’ve got to think about the water you intake on and off the pitch.

“We have the urine tests here twice a week to make sure we are up to the level we should be.

“It does make a difference. But it’s better than it being rainy and windy I suppose!”

The action comes thick and fast for the Hatters with three games in six days, but Taylor is confident Luton are fully able to cope.

He said: “We have got quite a few games coming up in the first week.

“We’ve got Saturday, Tuesday, Friday, but the gaffer know what he’s doing.

“He’s going to get us in resting, cool downs, we just want the season to crack on and we’ve got to do as best we can.”

Those that aren’t involved today will also draw heart that there chance could soon come with so many games in such a short space of time.

Taylor continued: “You’ve got strength in depth so if you maybe take a knock in the first game you’ve always got quality to bring straight back in.

“And if somebody needs a rest you’ve got quality to bring straight back in and the people that aren’t involved and the fringe players are always pushing to start so it’s great balance throughout the team.”

On what they’ve been working on in pre-season, Taylor said: “It’s just working in units more than anything.

“Obviously you have to defend from the front, so attackers, midfielders, defenders.

“Working as a unit as a back four, staying narrow when the ball’s wide.

“I think that’s brought us joy in pre-season so I think we’re going to stick to that and see how it goes.”

And all of Luton’s new signings have settled in well too, as Taylor added: “We went away to Portugal and everyone bonded very well.

“I think everybody gets on very well here. The lads are a great bunch of lads. You come in, you shouldn’t feel nervous, everyone is very welcoming so everyone’s settled in very well.

“Everyone can’t wait. Pre-season’s a bit different. It’s a bit difficult to get prepared right for a pre-season game, but everyone knows the start of the season is a big deal so everyone’s ready.”