CAPTAIN Carl Fletcher has welcomed the wealth of experience new manager Peter Reid will bring to Argyle.

Although Fletch conceded he was surprised that the coaching combination of Paul Mariner and John Carver were not given a chance to lead the team in League One, there seems a renewed sense of excitement within the squad.

The Greens now have an enviable trio at the helm and with Fletch leading the troops on the field, there is a quiet confidence growing around the club.

"It was a bit of a surprise to hear they were looking for a new gaffer at the end of last season," said Fletch.

"John and Paul were working really hard behind the scenes last season, a lot more work than people realised and were probably looking forward to having a crack themselves this season.

"The powers-that-be decided they wanted an experienced manager to come in and you can't get any better than Peter Reid. He has been there and done it in every level of football. We're just looking forward to working with him."

Despite the positive vibes, the arduous graft of a pre-season campaign is the immediate priority and Fletch has seen a few in his 13-year playing career.

"We've had a long break and they've [the coaching staff] tried to ease us in," he said. "They don't want to work us too hard early straightaway because that's how you get injuries.

"We've got a full week this week, so we'll be picking up the work and I'm looking forward to the hard graft.

"You just try not to get injured [in pre-season]. Obviously, it's not nice trying to get fit again but you just get through it.

"I've done so many now. You know your own body and you don't want to peak too soon. The first game is August 7, so you want to be fully fit and ready to go for then.

"It used to be that you had eight weeks off and that was it. You would come back a stone overweight and pre-season was to get you fit.

"These days you are expected to come back relatively fit anyway, so it's definitely a change from my time. It gets harder as you get older but you use your experience to get through it."