We caught up with Silkmen boss Keith Alexander this morning ahead of the team's first friendly away at Congleton Town to get his early thoughts, one week into pre-season.

"I've been delighted. We've had a good week and the lads look eager and sharp. Things have changed a lot since I was a pro. Lets just say the discipline wasn't perhaps as good as back in those days you needed a good four or five weeks to get your fitness back," explained Keith.

"That's not the case any more and all of the lads have reported back in shape and ready for a tough pre-season. They've done a lot of running since they returned but we were also quick to introduce ball work into our build up. So all in all things are going well."

"Of course they will need to build up their fitness levels, particularly match fitness. The only way really to do that is through playing games which is why we have arranged so many friendlies. We have to be sharp when the season gets underway at Shrewsbury and I believe the approach we are taking is the best way to do that."

"The squad is almost complete now and I am happy with its composition. I think we have the balance right between youth and experience. We've also kept together the core of last season's side but injected new blood into areas where I think we need it."

"One area we still need to address is that of the keeper. Jon Brain is the only senior keeper we have on the books at present and from that you can take it that he is my first choice. He did extremely well for me last season and I know he is someone who will consistently perform throughout an entire season."

"But he needs competition for his place like everyone else to ensure we get the best out of him. However if you look back throughout my career I have tended not to have a goalkeeper on the bench during games. I don't know what the exact figures are but the occasions on which a sub keeper gets used is miniscule and I think it is a risk worth taking."

"I therefore don't see the point in having two senior keepers on the books. I would much prefer to save a bit of money for use elsewhere and bring in an up and coming twenty year old, a young lad that work with Jon and develop their game. And of course with the introduction of the reserve team they will also be getting regular games. So that is something we intend to do over the next few weeks."