But J.C thinks the matches could have a positive effect on the start of the Reds Premiership campaign.
He told the club website, "If we weren't playing these Champions League qualifiers we'd have no doubt have been playing a game somewhere else so I don't think it matters that much."
"Either that or doing extra training and I know what I prefer! A game is a game and it's good to get them under your belt in preparation for Middlesbrough away in the Premiership on August 13. We are treating all these games as pre-season fixtures, albeit with a little bit more edge to them, and whether this amount of games benefits us once the season starts remains to be seen," he added.