Setchell’s focus is only on the real thing as Steelmen get to work

The Steelmen reported back for pre-season training last weekend and are now preparing for a trip to Deeping Rangers in their opening friendly of the summer on Saturday before they head to Real Bedford next Tuesday.

Setchell has kept the majority of last season’s squad at Steel Park while sprinkling a few new signings into the bargain as he gets ready to lead Corby into another Northern Premier League Midlands campaign.

And he insists he will be using the friendlies for what he feels are their sole purpose.

The Steelmen boss said: “I am not one who looks too closely at pre-season results. Every game is a training session.

“I know that if you win five or six of your pre-season games then people get carried away and if you lose five or six of your friendlies then people will say you’re going to get relegated.

“For me, this is all about preparing for the first game of our season.

“We will be looking at things and trying things and using these games for exactly what they are intended.

“We will want to score some goals and win but this is more about getting people to the right levels of fitness and the right frame of mind for when the serious business starts.”

Setchell, meanwhile, was pleased with the shape of his players as they returned to training last weekend.

“It was good to see the boys and get a bit of training going,” he added.

“Every player at the club has played for me before so they know what to expect from me and I know what to expect from them.

“They have been doing a bit at home, which was something we set up in the middle of June, and they all came back near enough bang on weight.

“The fitness levels are at a place where we haven’t got to trawl them round the pitches.

“We will have to do a certain amount of work but the base stuff has already been done, which is really pleasing.”