The 26-year old midfielder has praised the fitness and coaching staff during the club’s pre-season tour of Austria…
Rose joined the Sky Blues in January 2015, after a switch from American MLS side Seattle Sounders.
The midfielder made 13 appearances during City’s 2015/16, scoring two goals - including a spectacular strike in the 1-0 win against Bradford in April. Rose has been a part of the 23-man City squad that are currently out in Austria, with the trip to be rounded off with a fixture against top Austrian side SK Sturm Graz on Saturday.
Rose commented: “I’ve been really impressed, everyone came in relatively fit and sharp. We had a really tough first week at home, physically it was very demanding but there was always a football involved which I enjoy.
“Coming over to Austria, its been long days but I’ve been really impressed with the boys work ethic and especially the tactical work we’ve been able to get done. Everyone is buying in to a new system and new formations.
“Being away really helps in terms of continuity and getting to know your teammates. Building bonds is important, especially as things get tough throughout the course of a long season. It’s been a really positive few weeks and I’m sure that is set to continue.”
Official CCFC tour sponsor: Andrew Whiting Wealth Consultancy LLP
Rose also spoke about the differences between pre-season out in America, whilst insisting the same principles of building team morale and worth ethic apply to football clubs universally.
He added: It has been hot, but I’m used to that from pre-season back in the States. Arizona in particular, I remember. That’s the idea of pre-season though, to work hard and sweat. We’re working on getting our bodies built up to be in the best possible shape. It is a long gruelling season and by preparing the best way you give yourself the best chance of lasting the distance.
“Pre-season is one of those universal languages really, it is a fairly similar set up to what I did at Seattle. It’s all about integrating new players and some of the younger boys.
“This trip is only a week long, with Seattle we used to go away for 14-15days straight and that is tiring. But the same things apply, it is about team building, chemistry and just getting amongst it. You learn a lot about one another on these trips.
“Without a doubt, the MLS is an extremely physical and taxing league and athleticism is a trait that a lot of American players possess. But the same applies over here, you have to be very fit to get up and down in my position and the games come thick and fast.
“Andy Young in particular has done a great job of implementing the fitness side in to sessions and monitoring whether we are hitting are targets in terms of distance and loads. We’ve remained with the ball at our feet, which always helps for touch and feel after the summer.
“The whole squad hasn’t been assembled yet, and we don’t know the exact system we’ll be playing yet - although we’ve been working on a few different shapes. For myself personally, I’m the type of player that just wants to be on the pitch. I am fairly versatile, its about making sure I am good enough in training and in competitive matches that the manager feels he needs me on the pitch.
“Without a doubt, the aim for the group will be to push for promotion and go one better than last season.”