THERE is no chance of Swindon Town going into the new season under-cooked, according to new striker Paul Mullin.

Town began their pre-season training programme under new manager David Flitcroft a fortnight ago and commenced their summer friendly programme over the weekend.

Flitcroft has wasted little time in setting out his principles to the squad and Mullin says the early signs are that the Town boss will leave no stone unturned in his efforts to get them in the best shape possible for the League Two opener at Carlisle United on August 5.

“Even in training the gaffer has asked us to set the standard for the rest of the year and everyone is pushing together, pushing each other and making each other better every single day,” said Mullin, who signed from Morecambe late last month.

“The first couple of days were tough. I would like to think I am quite naturally fit anyway but pre-season has been hard but that’s what you need going into the season for it to last all year.

“Sometimes at Morecambe, the team seemed to get unfit towards December. It was no one’s fault, we just didn’t have a tough enough pre-season.

“To get the fitness, you need to work hard, and that’s what we’ve done.

“Now the games have started, it’s all about getting match fit.”

Mullin is one of seven new signings made by Flitcroft since his appointment in the off-season, with Chis Robertson, James Dunne, Ben Purkiss, Olly Lancashire, Amine Linganzi and Chris Hussey also switching to the County Ground.

The 22-year-old says Swindon’s established players and incoming staff have made it an easy transition for the summer arrivals.

“We had a lot of good players and the gaffer has brought good players in as well. We all seem to be clicking together already and I am looking forward to working with them all throughout the year,” said Mullin.

“All the lads are good lads, we get on well.

“Everyone just wants the best out of each other and that way we are going to strive for success.

“If you bring in the right people and add to the squad that was already here, which I think the gaffer has done, it’s going to work well.

“In football, most lads are welcoming, and as soon as we’ve come in, they have all helped us out and it’s felt like we have all known each other for years already.”