Ahead of the opening weekend of the Enterprise National League, we spoke to Mark Hughes.
Speaking to CUTV ahead of United's trip to Woking, firstly on the pre-season period, he said: "We've enjoyed the whole period I have to say. The games have been good, been really happy with the performances in the games leading into the first game of the season. So that's encouraging, we've got new faces obviously that we needed to integrate but each and every one of them has come in and showed first and foremost good ability but good character as well.
"I think the level of performance we've been able to put in against good quality, certainly early in the period against Motherwell and Newcastle, obviously we were a little bit behind but we actually did really well against them. Newcastle obviously had a really strong side but for the most part we equipped ourselves really well against high class opposition. So from that point onwards we've been on a decent run as well unbeaten in all the other games.So yeah, it's been really positive.
"I think we talk a lot about momentum in the game and I think you can take momentum from pre-season games. Clearly it's not exactly like league games because you're doing a lot of changes, a lot of the games are a view to get minutes, good minutes in and play.
"It's not as it will be in the league but it's still an indication of where we expect to find ourselves in terms of the season coming."
The Blues have developed good habits during the build up to 22025/26 - two of them being clean sheet acquired and goals scored, especially from Luke Armstrong and Regan Linney.
Touching on this in further detail, Mark explained: "They're good traits that we're showing at the moment so we've got to maintain them. I'm really happy with the group as a whole, individually and collectively. I think we've shown a lot. I think it's helped, there's a number of players obviously that I was working with last year so that core element to the squad is there. They're hitting the ground running because they know what I want from them. The other lads along with the young players that we've added to the squad have come in and really equipped themselves really, really well.
"I'm very pleased with where we are at the moment but the big test is at the weekend. We've got to be able to transfer what we do on the training pitch to the game at the weekend and make sure we play at the high level.
Earlier in the day, CUTV sat down with Regan Linney ahead of his opening campaign for the Cumbrians, and he explained that pre-season form is often forgotten about if you don't perform when it really matters - our full interview with the forward will be released on Friday.
Speaking on Regan's claim, Hughes continued: I agree with that. I think it's all about preparation in pre-season clearly. It's about getting good minutes, making sure everybody's physically ready to go and aren't at risk of breaking down because they haven't done enough quality work. But the group as a whole is good in that regard.
"I think we're at the point clearly where we've had enough of pre-season if we're honest. I certainly have. I just want to get playing now.
"I think that everybody's excited. I think they're excited with the dynamic of the group. I think they've become quite close as a group very quickly, which was important. I think it's fair to say maybe at times last year that wasn't the case and that was detrimental to us. But I think now that's been addressed up to a point.
"Clearly I haven't picked an 11 for the first game so that sometimes upsets people. So we have to go through that process but we'll be fine. I think the group is strong enough to understand that we're going to need everybody and everyone will get opportunities because it's a long, old season."
When asked if he has a selection headache ahead of this weekend's season opener, he responded: "It's not a headache. It gives me comfort I have to say. I think there's a number of players, Jack [Ellis] is one of them, who've come back with the attitude that they're going to work exceptionally hard in the pre-season period and make themselves available for a first team slot. So that's what you want from the group and that's what you want from individuals and I can't say there's anybody who hasn't had that attitude coming back."
Mark will have the first opportunity to watch Armstrong in competitive league action on Saturday after the attacker spent the closing stages of last season on loan at Motherwell
"I haven't been surprised by Luke because I know what he can bring to the side and the club. He's a great guy as well, well liked within the group but his ability, yeah I mean it's well documented. I've in the past tried to sign Luke before so I was astounded when he wasn't here when I arrived.
"I'm just pleased I have the opportunity to work with him this year because he's going to be a big player for us I think."
Speaking on the possibility of anymore incomings and outgoings soon, Mark said: "No, not as far as I'm aware. We're pretty quiet on that thing at the moment but things happen very quickly, hourly at this time of the year just leading into the first game so I never say that nothing's happening because more often than not I get caught out."
Looking at what kind of test Woking will provide, he stated: "It's not an easy opening game I have to say. They're a good side, got good players, got a number of players that have been together as a group for at least a season - I think that's an advantage.
"They've added well and they like to play but they can mix it up as well so they've got good physical attributes that you would imagine everybody in this league will need. It's not the easiest away fixture to start a campaign but if we do well, which I expect us to do because we're playing well at the moment, then that would be a good start for us because we know that we've gone up against what I feel would be one of the stronger teams possibly this year, so if we can equip ourselves well then that's a good benchmark for us.
"We always back ourselves to affect the opposition rather than the other way around, that's what our intention is always when we go into games so that would be the case again. Opposition teams will ask questions, certainly as the away side you have to expect that and understand that but we'll always back ourselves to ask the similar questions and hopefully more of them than they're able to ask of us because like I said we're in decent shape at the moment.
"We're pleased where we are at this stage of the pre-season period so yeah, I think it'll be a good game I have to say, I think it's two good teams on show, first game of the season, I'm looking forward to it."
When asked how the group will deal with the pressure of constantly having a target on their back this campaign, he responded: "I think that's a given, we have to accept that, I don't think it's a bad thing, it's the same, pressure is a privilege so you should embrace it.
"I've always done that as a player and a manager and I sense the players are ready to do that as well so yeah that's something we can use to our own benefit just to keep us focused and honest."
Looking ahead to returning to the touchline in league action at The Laithwaite Community Stadium, Hughes explained: "It just seems to have been a little bit longer this year, I think it was probably maybe a week more than the usual period, I think we probably had seven games I think it was, something like that, which is probably more than I usually have in a pre-season period but maybe that's why it seems to me that it's been a long time, so yeah, we need to start now."
Finally, Mark ended with a message on the supporters ahead of the first game of 2025/26, saying: "It's going to be a long season and we're always grateful for the support that we get, even in pre-season we've had great support which we really appreciate.
"That goes some way to the people understanding why we've done really well in the pre-season games I feel because we have that support and we have a debt to them so we always have to perform, so yeah, once again we'll have good support that we always appreciate ,and yeah, let's hope we can win the game."
