THE first of a four part series in which we speak to the Club's young professionals, all striving to break through into Tony Pulis' starting eleven.
This week, following Stoke City's pre-season training camp in Austria, stokecityfc.com caught up with fledging midfielder Matthew Lund, who spoke exclusively about the trip, his first year at the Britannia Stadium and his hopes for the forthcoming 2010-11 campaign!
Matt, you have been here at the Club for twelve months now, I imagine it has been a very interesting year for you?
"It has been an incredible journey to be honest with you. I have loved every single minute of being at Stoke. I have just knuckled down and worked hard, and tried to get to grips with what the gaffer asks of the players here.
"Training is a lot more intense here than it was at Crewe, but that is something I enjoy. We do a lot of work on fitness and on shape, and for me that is something which is huge for me, because it gives me a better idea of what the gaffer expects of us."
What has been the biggest difference you have noticed since stepping into a Premier League Football Club?
"The biggest thing here, which has amazed me, is the will to win. Not just on matchdays or in training but everything the lads do. Whether it is playing table tennis with the lads, like we did in Austria, or even playing against the lads on computer games.
"Everyone is desperate to win things. There is so much competition and banter between the lads, and it is absolutely brilliant. It keeps you on your toes, and that is why this Football Club has moved on so much over the last few years."
You have just returned back from your second pre-season training camp in Austria. How tough was it over there?
"It was incredibly tough, both physically and mentally, but each and every one of us worked hard and just got on with doing what the gaffer and his coaching staff asked us to do.
"The altitude and the heat made things very difficult, but we know how important it was to get through the session. We did have to push ourselves, especially on the hill runs we did, but I know we will reap the benefits of it when the season gets underway."
It's obviously a time of the year which no player particularly enjoys, but just how important is pre-season for footballers?
"Fitness plays a huge role in football nowadays, especially in the Premier League. You look at all of the players who play week in, week out, fitness wise they are top notch, and that is the level I need to get to.
"I have come on a lot since I arrived here from Crewe last year, but I know I still have to keep improving. Just watching some of the lads in training, they are phenomenal and that is what I am striving to be like."
With a number of friendly matches coming up over the next few weeks, does that give you and the other young professionals that extra incentive to go out there and impress Tony Pulis?
"All of the younger lads see these sort of games as chances to impress. They are all about fitness first and foremost, but for the younger guys like myself, you go out there with that little bit more fire in the belly to try and impress everyone.
"I will go out there when I am selected to play and just try and do everything the gaffer expects of us. I will try to impress him and show him that I am capable of playing at this level."
Finally Matt, what are your aspirations for the season ahead? I imagine you just want to get out there, maybe go on loan, and show the management staff what you can do!
"I have just got to keep working hard and trying to impress the manager at every opportunity. I think he is recognising that I am improving and maybe he will have a look at loaning me out to see how I cope playing regularly.
"That will be his decision, but for me I think I am ready now to go out and play games, like Ben Marshall did last season. He has benefitted from it and I am certain I would as well.
"If that doesn't happen though, I am happy to keep working hard here and doing everything I can in training and reserve games to show what I am capable of."
