‘I was like Pep Guardiola in pre-season…then we lost four games in a row’ – Jamie O’Hara urges caution over results after Chelsea mutilated by Arsenal

Pre-season is a time for fans to get caught up in expectations for the upcoming season, while it’s a time of doom for others.

There is often very little in between – teams are hailed as title contenders or the season is over before it has even started.

But the main thing to remember… it’s only the pre-season. These games count for absolutely nothing.

Yes, they are obviously important for players to bond with new teammates and rise to match fitness.

Manchester United beat Liverpool 4-0 earlier this month but realistically few predict the Red Devils will finish above Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Then there was a lot of negative attitudes around Chelsea after their 4-0 thrashing by Arsenal in America – mostly from manager Thomas Tuchel.

When discussing this result, former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara was quick to point out how misleading these results can be.

Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast, he said: “When I was manager of Billericay I was like Pep Guardiola in pre-season. We won every game.

“I was like ‘oh my god, this team that I put together is crazy’…we lost the first four games of the season.

“What’s going on?! Pre-season doesn’t mean anything.

“Pre-season is about fitness, bringing the group together, making sure everyone is on the same page, making sure everyone gets better.

“Once the season starts, the big players, the big games, that’s where they come in. Not in pre-season.

“You don’t win a trophy in pre-season.”