BRUNO says Albion are in better shape than ever for the new season after upping the tempo this summer.

The skipper leads his side out against Nantes tonight (7.45pm) believing fans will see a difference in how they play this term.

He says players were surprised by the demanding nature of pre-season but that it will allow them to press more effectively without the ball when the Premier League kicks off.

Bruno told The Argus: “It has been a physically very tough pre-season – harder than last season.

“We didn’t know about it beforehand. It was a surprise!

“I think what the coaching staff are trying to do is get to the next physical level so we can play in a more aggressive way.

“What it means is results in pre-season haven’t been so good.

“We have been going into matches not in the best condition because of the work we have done.

“I think people will see a difference this season when it comes to pressing.

“We want to be a team who do that even more.

“We already did it but we want to be aggressive in the right way.”

He added: “We are going to arrive in better shape than ever when we get to the league.

“Last season we were a very solid team, a team who worked hard, and that will stay the same.”

Nantes, who finished ninth in the French top-flight last season despite a dismal second half to the campaign, offer the final friendly opposition of the summer.

Only Paris Saint Germain and Montpellier conceded fewer goals in their league last term.

Bruno said: “The last friendly is always a high level game.

“They are a team from Ligue 1 who had a good season.

“They will be very competitive.

“This is real thing. It’s our home friendly, on our pitch.

“We take it on like a final.

“The teams who visit us tend to put out their strongest teams. It’s the most serious test you could have.”