Brentford have completed their first week of pre-season training and today headed off to Portugal for a week's training before their first pre-season match against Fulham on July 14th for Kevin O'Connor's testimonial.

Brentfordfc.co.uk interviewed Andy Scott after a tough pre-season session on Saturday. Scott said "Pre-season has started very well. They are a terrific bunch of lads and their fitness results show that we are already fitter at this stage than at the same time last year, so we are delighted with that. Their professionalism has shone through once again.

The lads that have come in from other clubs have looked sharp as well. We can get them fitter and stronger and work on different aspects with them. There is plenty of scope to improve.

We have had a good first week back and the boys have all worked hard to establish a base level of fitness which will allow us to work on other areas while we are away in Portugal."

Commenting on the new signings of Michael Spillane, Craig Woodman and David McCracken, Scott said "Some of the new players have come in late and never got to do the fitness test which the rest of squad undertook at the beginning of the week.

In order for us to establish their heart rate we need to do the testing before we go away to Portugal. It gives the management a good understanding of what level of fitness they are at the moment and what we can work on in the week away."

New signing David McCracken said "The first 10 days of pre-season are always hard work and I hadn't started pre-season at Milton Keynes before I signed for Brentford. It's hard blowing the cobwebs off but the boys are really on it and I'm enjoying getting down to work."

Nicky Forster added "Pre-season is never easy. The older you get, I think you get a little battle hardened and you know what you need to do to get through it in good shape".