Blues manager Kieran McKenna says a new leadership group has been finalised with the players assembled over the summer getting to know one another better having taken part in some team bonding last weekend.

The Town squad saw significant change in the summer with a number of the new additions only arriving shortly before the transfer window closed at the start of September.

McKenna says the squad spent some time bonding last weekend following the Friday night game against Sheffield United.

“There have been a few different little bits,” the Town boss said. “Playing on the Friday night was good last week so they had a little bit of time together on the Saturday afternoon, which was good.

“And we've got our leadership group now together as of this week, which is a big step, which we couldn't really do until the group was finalised. That came together this week.

“They’re spending lots of time at the training ground. They’re not rushing off after training, which is usually a good sign. We’re chasing a few off late in the afternoon.

“The energy is good around the group. They’re enjoying each other’s company. I think they’re enjoying competing against each other. I think they can all feel the strength of the group.

“But it’s really important how we carry that together now as one team going into the weekend.”

Former captain Sam Morsy, Axel Tuanzebe, Conor Chaplin, Massimo Luongo and Cameron Burgess were among the senior players who departed over the summer, while Jacob Greaves recently revealed he was a member of last season’s leadership group.

McKenna wouldn’t elaborate on who is in the new group: “No, I always like to keep that private, something that the boys vote for. And we’ve had a different structure over the last few years, usually a group of three or four who join the captain in it. 

“That group’s changed anyway over the last few years, but a lot of the players who have been part of that group are not in the squad at the moment. 

“So that’s a really fresh leadership group, which the boys vote for. It’s only one small bit. We've spoken lots with the group. 

“It’s about everyone stepping up from a leadership perspective. But having that together and finalised also helps with some situations and will help us in the time ahead.”

Quizzed on what the players got up to at the weekend, McKenna smiled: “You’d have to ask Wes Burns about that. He was in charge!”

Photo: TWTD

StowTractor added 16:51 - Sep 18 Nice to see that Wes is part of the new group and not pushed to the edges with his injury and the departure of so many he has played with over the last 4 seasons especially Morsy, Chappers & Broadhead.
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flykickingbybgunn added 17:41 - Sep 18 We lost a lot of leaders over the summer, Morsy, Chappers etc. Good to know we have replacements.
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Carberry added 18:30 - Sep 18 Would be nice to know what the leadership group's responsibilities are. Choosing which card games to play or mentoring younger players? Could be many things. Even if we don't know who is in it, what do they do? I'm sure there will be a number of the self styled TWTD leaership group who will answer that question.
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darkhorse28 added 22:43 - Sep 18 Finalising a leadership group so quickly, doesn’t sound ideal. Progress with the captain and senior players that remain like Leif, and let it grow organically. Leaders will emerge, but it’s not always likely in a few days to be obvious…., we seem really really poor at the off the field psychological team building…., Burgess sbjwed in the week what we lack. I’m sure Nunez, Young, will add lots in those traits, but we lost FIVE WINNERS, with those traits inherently. I think McKenna is a quality coach, but I don’t think he’s close to elite in so many areas essential at the very top of the game. Last years leadership form the starting 11, only one of which featured in league one, was appalling…, the belief like results got progressively worse as the season went on.., they couldn’t find internal solutions, and McKenna provided little extrinsic motivational support. We’ll face lots of close games. Leadership got us over the line in many games 23/24 - the extra quality we have, won’t get us that edge in its own. We need leaders.., and Nunez. Young. And Furlong, they don’t necessarily stray (yet) and Greaves.., he’s way behind Burgess in all round game.., needs to be able to focus on form. McKenna needs off the field support. We’ve changed the group TWICE in 12 mk the, because his ability to motivate hasn’t been good enough. The same decisions, will get similar outcomes. We have the quality to smash this league.., but we are so poor in the last 5% off the pitch, it’s hard to see any vision and long term success.

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Billysherlockblue added 00:12 - Sep 19 Such dribble dark horse.
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AlpineBlue added 06:26 - Sep 19 Honestly Darkhorse, what pleasure do you get out of football? You are so negative and miserable. Honestly if you want to be tiresome and negative, there is another team up the road that are slow motion falling apart and sell their best players to their local rivals. So much to grumble about. You'd love it!
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cookra added 07:55 - Sep 19 @dsarkhorse dark by name dark by nature flip your thought processes, glass half full is a great start and your life will start becoming a lot brighter, enjoyable and positive vibes will become your way
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