Valerien Ismael believes Blackburn Rovers are on track with a less less than two weeks until the Championship season starts.
Rovers have one more pre-season friendly, against NEC Nijmegen, before they travel to the Hawthorns on August 8. They have a 100% win rate in their four warm-up games so far.
A week in the Spanish sun has helped to further connect the new group, with further additions to follow. The trip has been designed to give the players time to socialise as well as work hard on the training pitch.
Reviewing their time in Alicante, Ismael believes the team is at a perfect position in their preparations.
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"After five weeks in pre-season, I think we're in a really good place," Ismael said.
"You always get injured players and so we have to limit that and we have done well. We have integrated new players, we have worked on our principles very intensively.
"Since the first game, we've had positive results, which gives momentum and belief. When you put the work on the pitch and the players are enjoying it and getting some rewards, it's easier to implement your work.
"The players believe in our work and that process has been good. It's coming through to the game and what we want to do at this club.
"The results give us confidence but they don't mean anything other than that. The players are picking up the principles and identifying with the way we want to play.
"I think we're on track. We still have two weeks, no fresh injuries from this camp which is the main thing."
Whilst fans will naturally start to look towards 2025/26, the Rovers head coach is not casting his gaze too far. Training intensity will step up again this week before it's concluded in the Netherlands.
"The season is long enough, so I don't want to push too early," he smiled.
"We still have two weeks of pre-season so we'll enjoy that. We will continue the work we're doing with the team. We feel we are improving physically and with our intensity.
"We have played some good football so it's keeping the players brave on the ball. We want that to be our strength and we have time still to work on those details."
Rovers spent Wednesday out on the golf course and in the padel courts. Players, staff and Academy graudates have been able to mingle during a week in each other's pockets.
"We have tried to do a lot outside of the pitch to help the players come together and connect, to give them freedom," Ismael concluded.
"I think we found the right balance between hard work, matches and free time which has been really good.
"We have the feeling that everyone is connected and that helps with results. We're building confidence and belief with the work put in to this squad."
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