It is just past 9am at The Brache, Luton Town's training ground and Ross Barkley is tucking into breakfast at the canteen. Goalkeeper Tim Krul wanders in and, seeing strangers perched in the corner, comes over to shake hands.
Winger Chiedozie Ogbene enters and comes over to introduce himself. Director of football Mick Harford is next, charm and positivity personified.
Manager Rob Edwards comes down from his office, though his greeting is more expected as he knows we are coming.
Training will not start until 11.15am but most of the players are here, in the snooker room next door or wandering to the gym, where Andros Townsend is doing weights and 'activation', the pre-training exercises to fire up muscles.