Bromley manager Andy Woodman has welcomed the international break as a timely opportunity to bed his squad together ahead of what he hopes will be a strong run in the third tier.

The Ravens have had a mixed opening to their debut League One season. They announced their arrival in impressive fashion, winning at Barnsley and drawing with Cambridge, but a run of just one point from four subsequent games tested the mood at the club. The 2-1 victory over Huddersfield last Saturday, however, appears to have steadied the ship, and Woodman is now focused on using the coming days on the training ground to sharpen his group.

"I've never had a doubt about this group of players," Woodman told BBC Radio London. "We got a lot of them late, hence why some of them are getting injured, so I really need to get some time with them, get some quality work into them and make sure they galvanise as a group."

The manager acknowledged that the squad's late assembly in the summer transfer window has been a contributing factor to some fitness difficulties, and he is keen to rectify that during the break.

"We've had some long days out on the training pitch this week and last week, and they've not moaned," he said. "They're a brilliant bunch of lads. It's [about] everyone knowing their roles and responsibilities."

Fixtures before League One returns

Bromley's next League One fixture does not arrive until a trip to Mansfield Town on 10 October, giving Woodman a substantial window to work with his players. Before then, the Ravens have two cup commitments: a home EFL Trophy tie against Brentford Under-21s on Tuesday, and a further EFL Trophy fixture against League Two side Crawley Town on 6 October.

Those matches will offer fringe players a chance to press their cases, but Woodman's primary concern is clearly the work being done away from matchdays, building the kind of understanding and fitness levels that will allow his side to compete consistently in the third tier.

The challenge of a first season at this level

Bromley's situation heading into the break reflects a broader truth about newly promoted sides: the opening weeks of a first season at a higher level are rarely straightforward. Having come up from League Two, the Ravens are encountering opponents with greater resources and embedded familiarity with League One's physicality and pace.

Woodman appears unfazed. His comments suggest a manager confident in the character of his dressing room, even if the squad's collective understanding is still being fine-tuned. The Huddersfield result, which he described in terms of it feeling "like us again," points to a group that knows what it is capable of when everything clicks.

Whether the break translates into a more consistent run of form from Mansfield onwards remains to be seen. But with Woodman making deliberate use of every available training session, Bromley supporters will hope the Ravens head into October sharper, fitter, and better drilled than they were a fortnight ago.

Frequently asked

When is Bromley's next League One game?
Bromley's next League One fixture is away at Mansfield Town on 10 October, after the international break.
How have Bromley started their first League One season?
Bromley began well with a win at Barnsley and a draw at Cambridge, but then managed just one point from four games before beating Huddersfield 2-1.
Why does Andy Woodman think Bromley players are getting injured?
Woodman has said that many of his squad were signed late in the summer window, meaning they had less pre-season preparation, which he believes has contributed to the injury problems.