STEPHEN McGinn made the 400 mile trip down from Scottish Premier League side St Mirren to Watford in January and www.watfordfc.com caught up with the midfielder to find out how his pre-season preparations are going.
He said: "Pre-season at Watford is more work and football-related compared to what we used to do in Scotland. It's been quite hard and demanding, but I'm enjoying it.
"The elements are essentially the same though - the running tests and fitness sessions but we got working with the footballs a lot quicker here than at St Mirren.
"There you might have a week of just core fitness work before the balls come out, but every Club is different, I'm sure all the boys here would tell you that.
"But it's great to have something different to what I was always used to year on year in the past."
Last week the Golden Boys spent some time at a health resort in the Midlands in what McGinn explained was far away from a relaxing break.
"The training camp at Champney's was good" said the midfielder, "the training pitch and facilities were excellent.
"It was a tough week with a few very tough sessions but very enjoyable too.
"Each player has got their own programme that we were given for pre-season.
"I'm working particularly on the weights and fitness side of things and concentrating on being ready for the start of the season."
Despite scoring two goals in two games for Watford during their pres-season campaign this year, the Scotsman stated that it's not all about racking up a tally on the scoresheet.
"Goals aren't the most important thing. It's always nice to score and a good habit to get into but it's about fitness and getting back into it is the most important thing."
The 21-year-old is focused on getting fully prepared for the new 2010/11 Championship season and can't wait to get back to business with the Hornets.
"It was nice to get back home and see everybody, but I think it's good that the season isn't far away now as that's what we all really look forward to the most after a few weeks off in the summer.
"We've still got a few more games left before the season starts and that means a couple more times to catch the manager's eye and do what you can to be fit and ready.
"The sides we are meeting in our pre-season games might not be as quick as the teams we play in the League but the pitches are different and the weather is a lot hotter which does make a difference.
"Boreham Wood liked to play football and St Albans were a bit more disciplined so we're getting a good variety of opponents which is good. I wouldn't say that the non-league or lower league sides were any more physical though.
"I've really enjoyed seeing and experiencing the different types of English football since I came down from Scotland.
"I'm really looking forward to the start of my first full season in the Championship with the Cup games and everything too, I'm really excited about it and just want to get started."
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