Dom Hyam believes pre-season will be critical for Valerien Ismael to have time to install his ideas at Blackburn Rovers.
The head coach has endured an eventful start to his tenure at Ewood Park. After a terrible opening month, Rovers ended the season unbeaten in six games and with four wins in that run.
Whilst Rovers may have fallen short, there is optimism that they can improve after that late string of results.
With a fully fit squad and a summer to prepare and mould the squad, Hyam believes pre-season will be vital for Ismael to drill the players on his tactical ideas and their new system.
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"It's certainly been eventful, enjoyable for two seasons," Hyam told RoversTV, reflecting on his three years.
"Every year, something has been riding on it. It's not great for the nerves but it's exciting. The fans get their money's worth at Blackburn.
"Pre-season will be important for next year, it's massive and every head coach needs it. You lay your foundations, get your squad together, assess it over six weeks.
"Friendly games, coming through pre-season unscathed. It builds your robustness for the season. It will let him get his ideas across, having come in quite late with a lot of games."
Hyam was an ever-present in 2024/25, one of only three outfield players to achieve that feat. It was a far better defensive performance from Rovers, who shipped too many goals in the season before which almost culminated in relegation.
"We had a lot early on. If you can average one in three, you're heading in the right direction and we're around that," he said on clean sheets.
"Whoever has played has done it well most of the time. We've had a settled side but a few changes. Balazs finishing the season in goal.
"It shows the strength we have, we all train well. When called upon, we can do a job. It's always a challenge to adapt to different people and their skill sets.
"We have high standards in training and so it makes it easier for players to slot in."
"Personally very pleased, very happy with my form and availability, which is a big thing for a centre-back," he continued.
"You don't start a season with a target of playing every game, although you want to.
"You need a bit of luck with injuries. It's part of the game and I'll have more in the future. Being available and consistent is what I built my game on.
"It's tough to pinpoint one thing but you learn quickly that recovery is a massive thing. In the Championship, there are games around every corner and times when it's three games in a week for a number of weeks.
"Throw in FA Cup games, you have to be ready for the next opportunity. With age, you begin to learn more about your body, you know when you can't train or you need a break. Matchday is the most important time of the week.
"You learn what your body can do. You have to take care of your body at any age and that's something I have stepped up and taken more seriously this year. Without that, I wouldn't have played as many games."
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