Yesterday, we caught up with Charlie Wyke after he was confirmed as United's team captain.
We began by asking him if he was looking forward to our season opener on Saturday, he said: “Yeah, buzzing for it. It's been a long pre-season, we've got some good work in, we're getting ready to go there and hopefully bring the win home.”
Assessing our friendlies, Charlie said: "We've had some good days. Obviously, we've had two poor performances, I think the managers said out of six weeks, but apart from that I think everyone's been right at it.
"We're all looking fit and as a team we're ready to go and get the season underway.”
We ended pre-season with a 2-1 win over League One side, Stockport, thanks to goals from Dan Adu-Adjei and Luke Armstrong.
“I thought we played really well.
“I think everything came together and like you say it was a really good performance and it shows what we can do in the next few weeks.
"I think as a team we'll only get better as the season starts and goes on.
"I'm one of them who it takes a little longer to get going, it always has done, but I think I joined a little bit later than the lads, caught up really quick and I've really enjoyed it."
On building relationships with the other forwards, Wyke stated: “They've been good. We've got some different strikers here so I think if something's not going right in the game or we need to see a game out or whatever, we've got different options and there's obviously a lot of great players here.
“Like I keep saying, we're just ready to go now and whoever gets asked to step in and play, I think they're going to be ready and yeah, just looking forward to it.”
Dan Adu-Adjei made his debut against Stockport, and linked up well with Charlie, we asked for his thoughts on our newest recruit, he said: “He's obviously a good player. I don't really know much about him because he's such a young lad.
“It was tough for him because he just came in the day before and he only trained for a little bit but he showed some bright signs and hopefully he can be good for us this season.”
We then spoke on captaincy, after he was given the armband alongside Sam Lavelle.
“It's a proud moment for me and my family.
“Everyone knows how much this club means to me. I've had some great times with the club and hopefully I can bring some great times again with the captaincy.”
"Sam's a great lad. He's got a lot of respect from all the players and yeah, just like I say, I'm really proud.
“I'm sure Sam is as well and we'll do everything we can to help the boys.
"It could have been anyone who got picked to be captain. Like I say, really proud that it's me, but if I'm not playing or for whatever reason something happens, there's always someone to step in.
“There's going to be people who are going to control the changing rooms. Like you say, there's a lot of older heads, so I think the changing room will run itself.”
With Gillingham so close, the lads have been gearing up all week.
When asked how it's been, the forward said: “It's been good. It's been bright. We've got some good work in.
"I'm sure we'll go into it knowing the exact game plan and we're just looking forward to it. Like you say, pre-season is always long, it's always tough and for the season to be here in two days, we're all buzzing for it.
“First games are always unbelievable to see how well the other teams are, just even to look at the scores and see how other teams got on.
“Obviously it's a long journey, but I'm sure the Carlisle fans will make the journey and hopefully we make it a good day.
“It's always a tough game, tough place to go. They've always got some big lads. No game is going to be easy this season, so like I keep saying, we're prepared for it and hopefully we can go there and get the three points.”
“Everyone says around the club we want to get promoted, we haven't hid the fact that we want to get promoted. I think we've got the squad to do it, and like you say, now it's just about putting it all together and it all starts on Saturday.”
Speaking on his personal targets this term, Wyke said: "Just to get as many goals as I can. I never really put a number on it, just try and score every time I step foot on the pitch.”
We’re expected to have around 500 fans making the trip on Saturday, another fine following from the Blues' faithful.
“It's just brilliant once again. Unbelievable support.
"I think every time I always look at the scores and look at the fanbase that always travels over the last few years, it's always been unbelievable support from the fans, so to make that journey and get behind us, hopefully we can produce.
“I remember Wigan last year, I think it was like 4,000 you brought, so yeah, it's unbelievable support.
“For that length of journey, it's unbelievable and hopefully, like I say, we can just produce and get the three points, that's all that's important this weekend.
“I think it goes without saying that the fans are going to be behind us. I think no matter what situation the club's in, the fans are always behind us, so we know what to expect and we don't want to let them down.”
