Harbin Happy With Pre-Season

"It's been an excellent start and we're probably two weeks more advanced than I expected them to be," said Harbin to the City website. "We've challenged them physically as well as mentally since they have been back and it's good to asses their level of mental toughness. It makes for an excellent pre-season and everyone can't wait for the games to start.

"I have worked in football for a long time and this is probably as good a start as I have seen. We have split the players into groups and even though they will be competing against each other when the season starts, there's a real sense of camaraderie and togetherness as each group wants to beat each other.

"All of the new players have fitted in like they've played here for seasons. There's a great feeling about the place and we want to carry that into the season proper.

"The fitness of some players has been astounding. Michael Doyle came top in the endurance and has kept himself in the best possible shape while the results of Dele Adebola and certain others have also been excellent. Overall, I have been very impressed.

"Going to Bath was an opportunity for us to take the players offsite, which really helps with team bonding. The facilities were also excellent and we worked from 7am in the morning until 9pm at night. They were long days but the players certainly slept well!

"The Northern Ireland trip is another chance to take the players offsite. We'll have had a few games under our belt by then so the matches out there will be interesting to see where we are in terms of fitness. Everyone is really looking forward to it."