Training Camp 2008 Sunday 13^th July

Sunday was recovery day following the match yesterday. The lads were not given a specific time for breakfast and most chose to have a lie in.

I had a little late start to the day as I didn't get to bed until quite late. After the game had finished and we had tidied up all the kit I took the car to one of the local towns to get something to eat with a couple of members of the party.

It was probably past 11pm when we found something to eat and with about an hours drive back it was almost 1am when we got back to the hotel and after a little night cap I went to my room to type up the match report/diary. It was almost 3am when I finally got in bed so I thought I deserved a little lie in.

After the breakfast there was a short meeting called by the Gaffer and there was a little reflection on the previous day, after which they were advised that lunch would be at 1.30pm.

While I was at lunch I checked up with Jimmy Barrow to see what treatment he had lined up for the afternoon, he was expecting Sam Russell and Adam Rundle to give him and Guy a visit later in the afternoon and he also said that he thought a few others might drop in.

The lads were given the afternoon to continue their recovery and this took various forms, some went to sit down by the pool and others just did their own thing. While I was out and about I ran in to two of our new recruits, Ciaran Toner and Scott Wiseman who were relaxing by surfing on the hotel's internet.

I asked them both how they were settling in and they both seemed very happy and comfortable in the squad. With regards to the game against Peterborough Ciaran thought it was a tough game but a very useful run out for everyone.

I managed to have a little look around and came across a very interesting remote gadget that they have over here and thought it might come in useful for certain members of our squad. Shame on them.

Dinner was at 8.30 pm and a very refreshed looking squad, and staff for that matter assembled in the dining room for their evening meal. There was a good atmosphere amongst everyone during dinner and plenty of banter going on.

After dinner we were treated to two debut performances on the chair by new boys Simon Heslop and Clark Keltie. First up was Hessey who decided to do a song rather than give a speech, with glass in hand for a microphone he chose to do a Chris De Burgh number and gave us his rendition of Lady In Red, he was very good but even more relieved to sit down.

Next up was Clark Keltie and he also chose to do a song called Lean on Me by Bill Withers from 1972.Nice to know these young lads prefer the music from my era. Kelts gave a rousing performance of a number that just gets everyone singing along.

In the bar after dinner our favourite waiter said goodbye to us as he was taking a few days off and wouldn't see us again so Jack made a kit presentation to him. Antonio or happy as we called him by virtue of the fact that he was always smiling morning, noon and night and was like an advert for Colgate is pictured with Jack.( Jack is the small one with no teeth.)

Jack also made a kit presentation to the restaurant and bar manager who has looked after our dietary requirements at the hotel, again Jack is the small one with no teeth, I don't know who the dude in the background is, he just raided the picture.

It has been a quiet day with not much too write home about, as the saying goes but hopefully the lads are fully recovered and raring to go tomorrow.

With not much to write about here is two bits of information, firstly our game on Tuesday is confirmed as being against Charlton Athletic, kick off 7pm (over here time) at Benahavis( I think this is Marbella) and it should be another good test for the lads.

Also, while talking to the Gaffer, he told me that he is appearing in the North West Masters on Saturday 26^th July (the day we play Northwich Victoria) Keith is playing for Blackburn Rovers at the event being held at the MEN Arena in Manchester, not sure what time it starts but he has to be there for 6.30pm.

Finally, my faith was almost restored in the viewing habits of some of our squad as when I left them this evening they were watching Top Gear, then someone told me that Corrie and Eastenders isn't on tonight, looks like my little gadget will come in useful for some of them after all.