OXFORD United’s busy schedule of pre-season games is very welcome, according to John Mousinho.
The U’s play their sixth friendly in nine days tonight with a visit to Aldershot Town (7.45).
Those who do not feature this evening will travel to Hungerford Town on Wednesday, with manager Karl Robinson looking to give most of his senior squad 90 minutes.
Mousinho already has a full game under his belt after coming through last week’s win at UCD in Ireland, but is keen to play as much as possible in pre-season.
The 32-year-old, who is gearing up for his 14th season as a professional, said: “You’re going to be tired, because match fitness is something you can’t ever replicate.
“When you can build up to 90 minutes you’re in a good position.
“When I first started playing we’d have the seven-mile slogs and chucking medicine balls at each others’ stomachs.
“It’s changed a lot in the last few years. Now there’s a lot more focus on high-intensity running, power and speed.
“I don’t know if it’s tougher now, it was gruelling in Ireland but we did get plenty of rest and we were looked after well.”
Aldershot, managed by former U’s boss Gary Waddock, finished fifth in the Vanarama National League last season, so should provide the toughest test to date.
Mousinho said: “You have to know they are hungry professional footballers who are willing to put a lot of hard yards in.
“Especially when a League side comes to town, they want to impress even more.”
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