"The boys are looking fit and showing a great application.  They are working their backsides off but the most important thing is that they have come back in shape.   Players throughout the years know what it takes to keep yourself in shape over the summer. They have done that and I am very pleased with the condition that they have come back in."

Last season there was a pre season training camp in Obertraun, Austria and although First Division new boys Ayr United are off there next week for the Pars there has been no need for travel this year since the Scottish summer has been ideal for preparations.

While it may have been great for the coaching staff to top up their tans, for the players it has been extremely hot for such a gruelling schedule but the Manager said that his players had been well catered for:-

"Everything is there for them; they are well hydrated and the ice baths are there as soon as they are finished each session. They are getting looked after properly.  It may be hard but it's structured. Exercises are much the same as we did last year; a couple of things have been tweaked but last season the general fitness was proven in games that we came back in and finished strongly.  There is no need to change pre season much.  We know that it is hard, I have done several and I know where it rates but it is not ridiculous either."
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"I'm sure we will see a few Pars fans down there, I know Spartans would like to see them."

So for the warm up matches before the first league match against Inverness Caley Thistle on Saturday 8th August, Stirling Albion, Blyth Spartans, Dundee United, Hibs, East Fife, and Coventry City will provide the opposition. Arbroath come to East End on 25th July in the Challenge Cup and the following Saturday there is a trip to Dumbarton in the Co-operative Insurance Cup. Jim McIntyre professed to be very pleased with the games:-

"We have three very good opponents with a Championship club and two Premierleague clubs at home that we are delighted about.  It will be good to go and get a game against Craw. Stirling Albion is a good place to start and of course I know wee Moory well. It is important that we try and mix the games up.
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