Holgate Determined To Step Up

Mason Holgate feels he’s reached a stage in his career where he needs to be playing more often than not.

Holgate told evertontv “We can take positives from it [the game against Irdning].

“Obviously we could’ve come up against tougher opponents but I think a lot us looked sharp and, for the first game of pre-season, we’re feeling fit.

“It’s early in pre-season so just to get ticking over and get your legs back and the feeling of a gameday again is good for us.

“I’m feeling good. I think the time off was good for me because it gave me the time to rest and I’ve come back and I’m feeling strong this pre-season.

“Training has been really good. I think all the boys have been enjoying it. It’s a lot of football-based fitness so we’re feeling sharp.

“Each year, you need to keep pushing on and I’m at a point where I want to be playing more often than not so I think this year’s big for me because I need to go out and prove I can do that week in, week out.

“There are a lot of young lads in our squad so it’s good for us to all hear that,” he said. “If you look around, there’s not just me, there’s a few other boys and it’s a positive for us.

“When a new gaffer comes in, there’s always different things he wants but we’ve worked a lot on shape in the last two weeks and I think it’s only going to help us as a team and as a defensive unit. I’ve learned a lot.

“Pre-season is all about getting sharp for Wolves in the first game of the season. But with all the football work we’ve done, we’re two weeks in and I feel really sharp and feel really fit. From looking at training, I think a lot of the boys do. Everyone’s touches are back and we’re looking good. I think when Wolves comes we’ll be ready for it.”