Tom Shaw has been encouraged by City's opening week of pre-season as preparations continue for the club's return to the Sky Bet Championship.
With the players back on the training pitch, Shaw says there is already a positive feeling around the group as attention turns to the challenges ahead.
He said: “We’re pleased with the feel of the place. We’ve got incredible memories from last year but we’re ready for the challenge ahead. We’ve told the players we’re looking ahead now at what is in front of us.
“There’s an amazing bond which has come from the last period of the club’s history both on and off the pitch. It feels like we’ve got a head start with spirit and togetherness which is really pleasing.
“The players and the staff are a pleasure to be around every day - I think we’re in a great place at this point of pre-season.”
The first week has focused on laying the foundations for the new campaign, with the coaching staff beginning to embed the principles they want to see throughout the season.
He said: “We want to reinforce what we last year, we’re looking to evolve it and make it even better. This first week has been about in possession and what we want it to feel and look like, our principles and bits we’ll be demanding from the players.
“We’ll be going back the other way out of possession next week ahead of Boston United. It’s all about getting the boys moving, a feel of the ball and going up against each other everyday.”
City's first pre-season fixture sees them travel to Boston United on Saturday, and Shaw is looking forward to seeing supporters again after the summer break.
He added: “It will be great to see the supporters, we’ve not seen them since the bus parade so it will be great to feel the matchday atmosphere again.
“The first couple of games we’ve got to keep the lads fit and healthy, get them moving around the pitch and get some intensity into the bodies.
“We’re also looking for the early signs of a proper football team, take some of the learnings from the first few weeks of training in terms of how we want this team to look and play.
"Boston will be a really tough game for us. They'll be up for it, and it's all about the lads staying healthy, getting through their allocated minutes and being ready for the next fixtures."