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"THIS is where the real business starts" insists Town summer signing Michael Timlin after waving goodbye to a mouthwatering opening series of pre-season fixtures.

With impressive performances against Steaua Bucharest, Fenerbahce and Portsmouth now nothing more than a distant memory, Timlin knows trips like Tuesday's visit to non-league Hampton & Richmon could be even more vital as Town prepare for their League One campaign.

Games against the likes of Chippenham Town and Hungerford follow, with clashes against Championship Plymouth and Cardiff the biggest tests left, but Timlin believes this is where the promotion push starts in earnest.

He said: "The gaffer has made us all realise now we have played all the big clubs the next games, against maybe lesser teams, are just as important.

"It is not about who we are playing it is making sure get results and play as a team. After that performance we will make sure we keep our heads down and work hard considering the result against FC Zlin.

"We were all disappointed so it was good to go to Hampton and put in another good performance.

"In a way it is easy to play against the big teams. Everyone is up for it and nothing is expected of you. We have to make sure we get ourselves up for you and in a way it is better preparation for what is to come."

After a self-proclaimed "shocking display" in Town's tour finale against Czech outfit FC Zlin in Austria last week, midfielder Timlin was back to his best last Friday.

His energetic style off the ball and composure on it was more than a match for Portsmouth's star-studded midfield - with him admitting a dinner date the night before had given him some extra motivation.

"I was at the gaffer's neighbour's house on Thursday night and Paul Sturrock was there as well," he said. "There was me and Blair Sturrock with the coaches and they were having a bit of banter about my last performance not being good enough.

"They were saying I had to be better so I was determined to make sure I played today and did really well and I feel as though I did that.

"There is still improvement to do though and we all have to keep chipping away until the start of the season."

Looking forward to his first full season of senior football, having previously been on the edge of things at Premier League Fulham, Timlin admits it has not been easy.

But with Maurice Malpas' intensive training regime behind them, Timlin insists the whole squad is already feeling the benefits.

He said: "It has been a really hard pre-season and we are feeling it but I think the benefits showed against Portsmouth. I feel as though the whole team are fit.

"Maybe at times the gaffer felt we were not moving as a team but as far as individuals are concerned we are really fit and we still have a few games to bed down our style of play.

"At the moment fitness is the most important thing and we are all getting it.

"If Pompey had not scored when they did I think we would have stayed in the game. Their second goal kind of killed us.

"I thought we were better going forward. We wanted to get in the right habits and I feel as though we have shown the fans there are good times to come."

10:13am Thursday 24th July 2008

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