This is Plymouth --MIDFIELDER Conor Hourihane says there is a 'positive vibe' to Argyle's pre-season which he believes augurs well for the up-coming League Two campaign.
Hourihane feels the squad Pilgrims manager John Sheridan has assembled, with perhaps yet a few more additions to be made, is the best yet in his time at Argyle.
The Irish play-maker claimed it is vital the Pilgrims, after successive seasons of playing Russian roulette with their Football League status get off to a flier in 2013/14's campaign.
Therefore, the competition for places Sheridan is after and a fitness regime worthy of any boot camp courtesy of the coaching squad, conducted under a scorching July, was proper preparation for the heat of battle which commences August.
Hourihane said: "In the three pre-seasons that I've been with the club, this is easily the strongest squad.
"And I'm sure we'll probably get even stronger with a couple or more new players to come in.
"It's tough running and training in this sort of weather in pre-season, but we're all enjoying it and suits us.
"There is definitely a good vibe about the place and the players are definitely looking forward to this year.
"We've lads here with the right mentality who want to take the club up the table.
"And we're all really itching to get going, really."
"We've got pre-season games coming up which will get us match fit in the lead up to the first (League Two) game of the season against Southend.
"It's very important in any league that you get off to a good start – you don't want to be playing catch up.
"But like I said, we're starting off the season, with a good team, a good squad, and competition for places we can get off to the start we want."
Republic of Ireland Under-21 international Hourihane penned a new two-year contract with the Pilgrims in the close season.
Hourihane also led from the front last term, assuming the skipper's role following centre-back Darren Purse's departure to Port Vale in January.
Under Hourihane's stewardship, Argyle edged their way from the bottom of League Two, winning seven and drawing four from 19 matches and pocketing 25 precious points.
The bustling midfielder said that in common with his Argyle team-mates he wasn't precious or insistent about playing in a position which would show him off at his best.
"It doesn't matter to me where I play just so long as it's in the best interests of the team," he added.
"I'm sure wherever the gaffer (John Sheridan) asks the lads to play they will feel and react in exactly the same way."
"We've got a few young players training with us at the moment, so you never know who is going to get chucked in.
"We'll all be on our toes through pre-season and throughout the season as well. Reported by This is 10 hours ago.