There's a well-worn phrase, "Fail to prepare, prepare to fail." It seems that's a saying that's familiar to Gillingham manager Mark Stimson, as he and his coaching staff are already making a difference to the side as they prepare for the start of the new campaign.
I touched upon the fitness work in a previous article, but as well as working on the players' physical conditioning, Stimson has also made a hugely important decision for the club in reinstating the Gillingham reserve team.
The team will play in the Pontins Holidays Combination League Central Division this year, and will provide a much-needed proving ground for Stimson's players.
As well as helping players ease their back to full fitness after injury, it will also allow Stimson to run the rule over the young up-and-coming players in his first-team squad. In the past, the likes of Andy Pugh and Luis Cumbers have been farmed out to local non-league sides to gain match experience, but this season they'll be able to hone their skills and prove their worth in the reserves.
It should help generate more competition within the squad, while giving Stimson the opportunity to run the rule over his younger players before throwing them into first-team action.
MAHER A STAYER?
The Gills are about to head off to La Manga as part of their pre-season training, and the party of 21 who are set to make the trip may contain former Southend skipper Kevin Maher, who spent the end of last season on loan at Priestfield.
Maher has been training with the Gills, but hasn't yet committed to signing a contract with the club, and Stimson has decided he wants an answer from the out-of-contract midfielder before they head off for Spain.
Clearly Maher is a significant part of Stimson's ideal plans for the coming season - and it makes sense for the gaffer to know as soon as possible who's on board and who isn't. Maher's a likely captain for the side this season but, of course, he's got to sign first.
MULLERS SET FOR THE NAPPY FACTOR?
Finally, don't be at all surprised if Gary Mulligan starts pre-season like a house on fire. Last week Gary and his partner Zoe became proud parents of baby Ella last week - and the new arrival could spark a significant upturn in Mullers' form in the coming weeks.
"The Nappy Factor" is a term well known to sports bettors, and it has affected sportsmen across the world, who have seen their performances hit new heights shortly after the birth of a child.
One noticeable example featured Doncaster Rovers striker James Hayter. At the time, James was playing for Bournemouth, and after missing the Cherries' previous match to see his girlfriend Sarah give birth to their son, Harris, James was named as a substitute for the midweek game against Wrexham.
With ten minutes to go and the Cherries 3-0 up, Hayter came on as a substitute and hit three goals in two minutes and 20 seconds to claim the fastest hat-trick in Football League history.
Congratulations to Gary and Zoe on their new arrival, and don't be surprised if the name Mulligan starts to feature heavily on the scoresheet this pre-season. If it does, you'll know why...