Erol Bulut has hailed the positive atmosphere in the Cardiff City camp following a gruelling first week of pre-season training, and says he's looking forward to taking a closer look at some of the club's most promising youngster over the first couple of summer friendlies.
The Turkish coach has been busy putting the squad through its paces this week, despite some players still being away on holiday or international duty.
Bulut has been impressed by what he's seen so far, although the focus has understandably been on conditioning and fitness to this point.
"For the first week I'm satisfied how the guys are working really well," he said. "Hard. Of course the first weeks are more physical, so we are working a lot more physically. But we do it with the ball.
"From this week now, all the squad is together from today. So from today we will start some tactical things in training. So first week was really good and I hope we continue.
"The season won't be easy. It will be a tough season. We want to be prepared for this season. That's why we train hard."
Bulut's arrival has coincided with a feeling of cautious optimism among some Cardiff fans, and there's clearly a buoyant mood in the camp too ahead of the new campaign.
"We have a good atmosphere in the team," he added. "Very good guys. Good characters. We need this. Sometimes we need jokes. We cannot always say things straight and hard. We have to enjoy also a little a bit."
Cardiff are just days away from their first pre-season friendly of the summer, with JD Cymru Premier side Penybont the visitors to Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday.
Welsh champions The New Saints are then set to visit on July 4, and Bulut says he's keen on using both games as a chance to take a closer look at some of the youngsters in the squad.
"I want after the first week to have a game because I want to see a few young players," he revealed.
"I don't know all the young players. For a few games I was watching I knew a few names [in the first team] and what kind of performance they can give.
"But for some young players, I don't know. That's why I want to see them in some games. They will be good for our squad for the rest of the season.
"So this is important. We need the young players to have two good games in front of our fans. We want to start the first game with a win. Even if it's a friendly match, we want to win as much as possible."
