Shola Ameobi: “I’ve said to the manager I want to fight for my place again.
“He knows that. He expects me to do that. That’s what we’re all doing here.
“I’m sure he’s trying to bring more players in, to get the competition for places, and I’m sure that’ll make the team stronger.
“There’s still Papiss to come, and I think they’re trying to get someone else in.
“We’re really excited about this season.
“Obviously, it was fantastic the way we finished last year, but we want to improve. The hard work starts now.
“It doesn’t get any easier – it’s something that I’ve experienced a few times. We know you have to continue to progress in pre-season.
“You don’t want to hit your best form early on – you want to progress in stages and get better ready for the start of the season.
“The most important thing is getting some game time. I played 20 minutes in the first game (a 1-0 defeat to Chemnitzer), and 60 minutes against Monaco.
“So it’s a progression, and it’s great to be out there again.
“You can do all the running in the world, but you need to play games to get back into the swing of things.
“We’ve upped the work rate, and it’s showed.
“The more we play, the better and more comfortable on the ball I feel we’ll get.
“We’re trying to get a rhythm.
“It’s great for Demba’s confidence. I had a couple of chances. I hit the post.
“Demba’s played it, and unfortunately it was just behind me. I had to do what I could to get something on the ball. Unfortunately for me, it’s come back off the post and into the keeper’s hands.
“We’re delighted to have won after the disappointment of the other night.
“We have to get back the rhythm we had at the end of last season. The more we play, the more we’ll do that."
Source: FOOTYMAD
