David Wheeler has praised the work ethic of his Exeter City teammates as they prepare for their first pre-season game against Reading.
Wheeler, who joined the Grecians last summer from non-league Staines Town, has been impressed with the fitness levels in the squad and is optimistic about City's chances for the new campaign.
"It seems like there is quite a strong work ethic this season," said Wheeler, who has a degree in sports science from Brunel University. "All the guys are pushing themselves. I think people are being quite conscientious and doing extra training off their own back.
"I'm sure that will pay dividends over the course of the season."
Wheeler, who played 38 times for the Grecians last campaign, quickly established himself as a fans' favourite since his transfer last August. He signed for City two days before the start of the 2013/14 season having spent a month on trial at the club.
Having got a year under his belt as a League Two footballer, Wheeler admits he feels more confident going into the new campaign.
It is the same for many of the other players in the squad, with the likes of Tom Nichols, Matt Grimes and Jordan Moore-Taylor all improving massively in the last 12 months.
"I think a lot of the players from last season are a lot more competent and self-assured now than what they were in the first few games that they came into the team," said Wheeler. "Obviously for me it was a big jump, but I definitely feel more confident now in my own ability to compete in League Two.
"It might not be the worst thing for us as well that the team has not changed a whole lot. It is still the same personnel that ended last season. I think that can often help in some ways."
City's pre-season fixtures start on Tuesday when they face Reading at St James's Park. They then travel to Brazil where matches against Fluminense and Tupi have been arranged.
They arrive back in England on July 27 and will then face matches against Premier League side Swansea City and Torquay United at home before the season kicks-off on August 9 against Portsmouth.
It is a tough schedule and one which Wheeler thinks will stand the Grecians in good stead for the start of the season.
"It will get us in good shape for the new season," said Wheeler. "The teams we are playing are tough. We played some good teams last season, but the standard on the average has gone up for this summer.
"We are going to have to play at our best to compete with some of these players. However, that is a really good test and really good practice for us playing in the League Two fixtures and the match against Bournemouth, in the League Cup, which we have got coming up in the first two weeks of the season."
Speaking about the trip to Brazil, Wheeler added: "It is an incredible thing to be part of, playing almost 100 years to the day from the first time Exeter City played Brazil.
"I have always wanted to go to Brazil anyway so it is kind of two birds with one stone for me especially getting to play the Brazilians."
