In the first of regular blogs from Austria, first team coach Billy Barr sets the scene across Europe...

The lads started pre-season training on 1 July and returned in good condition. We're now out here in Austria and some of the players are saying already it's the hardest pre-season they've ever done.

Since we arrived, we've had to be flexible with what we've been doing due to the rain. We've had to adapt our originally planned training sessions but all scheduled sessions will be completed during the week to ensure we keep pushing on with the fitness levels.

Just to paint the picture in Austria, the complex where we are staying has drawn good reviews from the lads, with many quoting that it's the most picturesque place that they've been to in their lives.

The complex sits at the bottom of the Austrian Alps and all around us are 2000m+ mountains that are gushing with water at the moment due to the horrendous whether we are experiencing. The river normally used as the cool-down spot after every session has now become a hazard and can no longer be used due to it rising about three metres in 24 hours!

The seven new lads seem to be fitting in well around the existing squad with some already knowing existing players at the club or fellow recruits. So much so that Giles Coke is having to clear away Daniel Jones' plates after every meal due to consistently losing at 'rock, paper, scissors'!

This morning was one of the hardest sessions of the week but already it's good to see the camaraderie and encouragement between players which will be vital to get us out of League One.

Having already mentioned that some players are suggesting it's the hardest pre-season so far, Jermaine Johnson is taking full benefit of the hours in between each session to sleep and aid rest and recovery. Having said that, in the young lads' room of Tommy Spurr, Mark Beevers and Luke Boden there is not much rest due to Tommy's hyperactivity- and often girly noises can be heard down the corridors from this room!

As I write, the lads are on a rest period before the third session of the day that starts at 5pm. Although our surroundings are idyllic this is no holiday club and by the end of the week there'll be less and less noise coming from each room!