Tony Carr is in Holland with his U-19s preparing for a short
tournament this weekend.
He says that things have been going OK so far for both his side and Peter Brabrook's U-17s.
"Scorelines are irrelevant," he says, "but like all preseason games but you play to win.
"The main thing though is match fitness.
"We played a men's team who will represent British Universities in the Asian games this month.
"We lost 2-1 and it was a good run out for them against senior opposition.
"We then faced a Japanese touring team from Osaka and we won 3-1.
"Peter's side won 2-0 at Leicester and beat an American side 3-1.
"It is too early to make predictions but things are going quite well, and now we are in The Hague for a tournament.
"Then we will have a weekly programme of two games a week until our season starts on 25th August.
"The 17s and the 19s will play Leeds that day, the same day the first team play them."
the aim, as ever, is to bring players through to the first team, and Tony says:
"It is too early to pick out a youngster who is shining.
"Leon Britton and Jermain Defoe are still under 19 players; I'm hoping Leon will progress and if he establishes himself as a reserve team player this season that will be a step up.
"Jermain, of course, is involved with the first team group now."
The youngsters are currently on borrowed ground - and finding it tough in the hot weather.
"It is difficult for us at Ford's because the pitch is dry and bumpy," says Tony.
"So it is not the best of environments for us.
"But we have purchased Little Heath just up the road from Chadwell Heath and when we move there, and knock things into shape, things will be easier."
As for the first team, he says:
"There is a lot of bounce about the place and the spirit is very good.
"The results have been good as well though we have not played testing opposition - but you can only beat who is before you and we've been doing that."
He says that things have been going OK so far for both his side and Peter Brabrook's U-17s.
"Scorelines are irrelevant," he says, "but like all preseason games but you play to win.
"The main thing though is match fitness.
"We played a men's team who will represent British Universities in the Asian games this month.
"We lost 2-1 and it was a good run out for them against senior opposition.
"We then faced a Japanese touring team from Osaka and we won 3-1.
"Peter's side won 2-0 at Leicester and beat an American side 3-1.
"It is too early to make predictions but things are going quite well, and now we are in The Hague for a tournament.
"Then we will have a weekly programme of two games a week until our season starts on 25th August.
"The 17s and the 19s will play Leeds that day, the same day the first team play them."
the aim, as ever, is to bring players through to the first team, and Tony says:
"It is too early to pick out a youngster who is shining.
"Leon Britton and Jermain Defoe are still under 19 players; I'm hoping Leon will progress and if he establishes himself as a reserve team player this season that will be a step up.
"Jermain, of course, is involved with the first team group now."
The youngsters are currently on borrowed ground - and finding it tough in the hot weather.
"It is difficult for us at Ford's because the pitch is dry and bumpy," says Tony.
"So it is not the best of environments for us.
"But we have purchased Little Heath just up the road from Chadwell Heath and when we move there, and knock things into shape, things will be easier."
As for the first team, he says:
"There is a lot of bounce about the place and the spirit is very good.
"The results have been good as well though we have not played testing opposition - but you can only beat who is before you and we've been doing that."