Continuing our look at the different experiences of the various clubs as they prepare for the new season, we speak to Colchester midfielder Kevin Watson.

What have you been up to over the summer?

"We were all given some time off after promotion. I have had a double hernia operation this summer which kept me out of my personal pre-season. I have had to work extra hard the last few weeks and it has all gone well."

Did you watch the World Cup?

"I managed to watch most of the games. It was a pretty decent tournament because there were some good individual performances and some very good games. Overall I quite enjoyed it. Like everyone else I was a little disappointed with England because we had a very good team over there. I was impressed with Italy because to win the tournament with all the turmoil in their home country. That was a decent effort."

How has your pre-season gone so far?

"It has been very, very good. We have got a good shape about us and we have got a winning mentality from last season. There are a lot of experienced players here and even though we have got a lot of people writing us off this season I think we will do very well."

Are your preparations different for this season different from last year?

"Not really because we have tried to keep things similar to last season."

What new players have you got in over the close season?

"Jamie Cureton was on loan to us from Swindon and he has joined full time now. He has got lots of experience and will get us goals. Johnnie Jackson has joined us from Spurs and he has got a great left peg. Although we have only got the two players in they are very high quality."

Which players are the ones to watch at your club?

"Jamie Cureton will be a real goalscoring threat for us as will Richard Garcia who was our top scorer last season. On the whole we have got a hard working team with no real super stars. We all gel together and pull our weight and that proved successful for us last year."

Are you looking forward to the new season?

"We start the season away to Birmingham and that is a real baptism of fire for us. This is going to be hard for us. We are under no illusions about how tough it is going to be for us. But we will pull together liked we did last year and that will see us through."

Grounds they are looking forward to visiting?

"Birmingham is going to great as is Leeds away and West Brom. There are so many of them. You could reel off ten or twelve of them off the top of your head. Week-in-week-out it will be fantastic. The thing that will work in our favour is when teams come to our place because that will be a bit if a shock to their system."

Who is your tip to win the league?

"If I had to pick a team it would be one of the ones who came down from the Premiership last year. Birmingham look to me to be the favourites for the league this year."

What are your personal ambitions for the season?

"I just want to stay injury free and play Championship football week-in week-out."