Greg Taylor says he is keen to “not take his foot off the gas”, as he prepares ahead of his fifth season with in the amber and black of the U’s.
As preparations for the 2017/18 Sky Bet League Two campaign kicked into life last week, Taylor reported back as one of the longest serving players within Shaun Derry’s first team squad.
The versatile defender feels he’s built up a solid experience of pre-season at the Club which has allowed him to approach the period in the best shape possible.
He said: “I’m into my fifth season with the Club now which I am absolutely delighted about and looking forward to the start of another year.
“Having been here for quite a while, I know the routine around pre-season and the early tests like the fat tank and yo-yo test, so you can prepare properly over the summer. It really helps to know the script.
“I’ve been able to set realistic targets based on my previous years here. I always set myself the aim of beating my results from last season, which I’m happy to have done this year.
“I’ve learnt definitely to do a little more during the off season. It’s important not to take your foot off the gas as you get older.
“All the work you have done during the summer and in pre-season means you benefit on day one of the new season.
“Having said that, every player looks forward to the balls coming out in pre-season instead of running through poles!”
Taylor, who featured in no less than four different positions for the U’s last season, admits he enjoyed the versatility he was able to add to the group but has his eyes solely focused on a defensive role this year.
Taylor said: “I covered a few areas last season and I’m always willing to fill in where needed. I didn’t quite get round to playing a game in goal and I’m not too sure I would have been any good in that position either.
“I think this year, I’ll probably be looking to play on the left rather than the more central positions like I did last season.
“It’s been good to come in and get to know all the new faces. There hasn’t been too many new players in through the door and the base of the group were all here last season.
“Everyone has returned ready to go and once you get past the first few weeks for everybody to gel, things will start to come together nicely.”
Tickets for the U’s pre-season games against Norwich City, Tottenham Hotspur U23 and Southend United are online here.
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