Martin Allen has introduced a competitive edge to pre-season training and one man enjoying the challenge is Charlie Lee.

Allen and his coaching staff have put player performance charts up in the changing rooms, monitoring things such as weight loss and speed, so that all of the squad can compare and compete against each other.

Lee has already shed a stone in weight since returning from the summer break and admits this pre-season has been one of the hardest ever.

“Since day one it’s been really hard but most pre-seasons are,” said the versatile 25-year-old.

“This one has probably been the hardest one I have done, the gaffer made it clear that it would be hard work but it has also been fun.

“I have never laughed so much during a pre-season and it’s been a good environment to come into.

“There are goals to achieve. I was down the bottom to start with but I’ve lost the most in percentage-wise so I am doing OK and there is still a little further to go. I have done well.

“Now everyone is coming in and looking at their results and you’ve never seen a team so happy.”

Lee is never short of a smile but knows one area of his game needs to improve – his discipline.

He picked up 14 bookings last season and missed vital matches through suspensions. It was the first topic new boss Martin Allen brought up when the two men met.

“He said about it when we were first introduced,” admitted Lee.

"bookings hurt me and the team so that can’t happen this year…” – charlie lee

“As I said, plenty of times last season I am well aware that it wasn’t good enough.

“I have to correct it and the gaffer said from day one he would do everything he could to help me, including fining me if I do it too many times, so that will help!

“Bookings hurt me and the team so that can’t happen this year.”

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