Ahead of the opening weekend of the Enterprise National League, we spoke to Regan Linney.
Speaking to CUTV, the forward said: "It's been tough [in pre-season], it's been tough training wise but game wise personally I've obviously enjoyed it and scoring a few goals as well always helps especially coming to a new club but overall [it's been] really positive and all the lads can't wait to get going now.
Regan netted his first for the Blues in front of a strong travelling contingent at AFC Fylde, which prompted an energetic celebration.
"A couple of lads got on me at training about it to be honest but as a striker I just wanted to get off the mark at the club, whether that's in pre-season or not, and obviously when I scored my first goal I thought I'd chuck a little celebration in there as well.
"In pre-season like I said earlier, I'm happy that I'm scoring goals but that doesn't matter, it's good to get the fans on my side but I'd rather be scoring the goals in the league, that's where it truly matters and that's what I'm hoping to do."
Summarising the positives from our pre-season schedule, Linney explained: "Just obviously getting fitter, getting stronger, playing with new players, fitting in, knowing who I link up well with and stuff so there's loads of things that come into it but I'm just really excited to get going now."
Throughout the friendlies, Regan has linked up particularly well with fellow attacker, Luke Armstrong. Speaking on this relationship on the pitch, he explained: "I think Luke loves to run in behind, he's a constant threat up top and sometimes it takes the pressure off him when I like to run in behind as well, so I think we complement each other very well and I'll always look for him and I'm sure he'll look for me every now and again as well."
When asked how training has been ahead of this weekend, he said: "It's not been as tough [due to managing our workload before the game] as it has been but we're just all raring to go now and looking forward to it.
"They're a tough team, I know they've got a big striker up top but in this league every game's tough so you're going to have to find ways of winning regardless, especially away from home."
Finding the balance between focusing on your own game and analysing the opponents is vital, on this, Regan responded: "I feel like you've just got to do that anyway, no matter what club you're at, where you're at, you've just got to focus on yourself and let the other teams do whatever they're doing as long as we take care of ourselves and win games and pick up points I think we'll be fine.
"In any team you want to be winning as early as possible, it doesn't take the pressure off but it relaxes you a little bit as a player so for me personally I'd love to get off the mark on Saturday of course but no matter how, as long as we win on Saturday I think the boys will be happy."
The following weekend on 16 August, Linney will get his first taste of action as a United player at Brunton Park.
"I'm really excited, I can't wait to be honest, playing in front of a lot of fans and I know how football mad this place is, so yeah, I'm really looking forward to it."
Ending with a message to the fans who will travel in their numbers on the opening day, the forward said: "Thank you for obviously buying tickets and all the lads are buzzing, hungry and ready to go."
