PREPARATIONS for the forthcoming 2010-11 Barclays Premier League campaign continue as the Potters spend eight days in Central Austria on their annual pre-season training camp.
stokecityfc.com are out in Irdning with them so be sure to keep logging on throughout the duration of the stay for all the goings on from within the camp. (please note - we are one hour ahead of UK time here in Austria).
Wednesday (July 14)
22:05pm - It's an early night for the coaching staff who have all disappeared off to their rooms, and I think I'm going to do the same. These early morning's are catching up with me. See you tomorrow for the game.
21:28pm - German Bundesliga side Schalke 04 have just arrived here at the hotel. They are spending a week here in preparation for their new season. The hotel more recently had the England national squad here, whilst Dubai side Al Ahli will be here in two weeks time.
20:18pm - A lot of the lads have already returned to their rooms to chill out and relax. Several are watching DVD's on their portable players, whilst a couple, including Matthew Etherington are reading.
19:55pm - The heat is certainly making the lads currently on the PS3 a little uncomfortable. Danny Collins, Liam Lawrence, Matty Lund and Glenn Whelan are becoming more and more adgitated by the apparent 'cheats' on Call of Duty, whilst they are attempting to fan themselves with pieces of paper and even dvd boxes.
19:38pm - Another delightful offering of veal, catfish, wholemeal pasta and mash potatoes was the order of the day, whilst the usual salads, fresh fruit and yoghurt was also available. The big screen is currently displaying the Barcelona v Inter Milan clash from last season. I would imagine the gaffer will be showing the lads some shape etc from the Inter side.
18:55pm - After a dip in the pool, most of the lads have made their way down to the dining room to enjoy a spot of dinner. I'll report back with what they had later on tonight.
17:52pm - From what Ryan Shawcross told me earlier It seems the gaffer is planning on giving all of the lads 45 minutes each. Whether that includes Fuller, who only returned to training last night, remains to be seen.
17:36pm - Anyway back to what the players were upto. The session started with a gentle jog around the pitch, which is hosting tomorrow's friendly against Bursaspor. Following on from that the goalkeepers joined Andy Quy for their own session, whilst the rest of the players were taken under the wing of Mark O'Connor who put them through their paces with a series of passing drills. After this the players were split in to four groups, with two in green bibs and two in orange. The manager coned off a small pitch for some fast pace 6-a-side football. After working a sweat up myself from moving the two sets of full size goals along with a couple of members of the backroom staff, the games got underway. Robert Huth was clinical, whilst Ricardo Fuller continued to mesmorise the rest of the lads with some audacious tricks. Asmir Begovic and Carlo Nash also pulled off some superb saves. In the end, the greens came out winners, meaning Liam Lawrence, Carl Dickinson and Huth along with a few more had to do 100 press ups between them.
17:31pm - Wow! I'm sure the weather is getting hotter over here each day. Having just got out of the coach the temperature reading says it's now 36 degrees. It was only 30 when we got on it to go to training. I'm sure your not too envious though, as I'm sure it's equally as nice back at base in sunny Stoke. Or maybe not!
15:45pm - The lads are now starting to gather outside so I better join them. I'll be back later on.
15:28pm - There were seven or eight City supporters at yesterday's session and I'm sure there will be a similar amount there again today. The lads really do appreciate seeing them out here and were all happy to pose for pictures yesterday.
15:25pm - The lads down on the PS3 have just gone back to their rooms to prepare for this afternoon's session. The coach has also just pulled up outside.
14:44pm - Just caught up with Ryan Shawcross on the terrace outside. He looked a little bit tired so I didn't keep him too long. He said everything is going well and is looking forward to the game tomorrow. The result isn't important though he stresses, instead it's all about building up their fitness. Keep an eye out for the full interview on Stoke City Player later on today.
14:22pm - I was shocked to hear from 'Huthy' that he hasn't yet mentioned the 4-1 scoreline from the Germany, England game. He says the other lads haven't spoken about it so he hasn't neither. Though, he did confirm he wouldn't forget It and he may unearth it when any of the english lads give him a little bit of stick about something in the future.
14:21pm - Liam Lawrence, Danny Collins, Glenn Whelan, Matthew Lund and Ryan Shotton are attempting to navigate their way through the german language on the PS3 as they try to play Call of Duty. They aren't sure how to change the language to english, so they call upon Robert Huth to help them sort it. The German defender, as he always does, manages to sort it out!
14:07pm - Whilst dining John Rudge came around to hand out the itinerary for the next few days. It confirms we will be departing Irdning following tomorrow's game before undertaking a white water rafting course at 8am on Friday. Upon the players return to their new hotel near Salzburg they will be free to spend the afternoon as they wish. There is apparently boating and fishing available, whilst a nearby golf course could see an influx of City players arriving. After a meal out in the evening we return back to Irdning first thing Saturday morning ahead of a 10am training session.
14:03pm - Lunch was nice as usual with butterfish, chicken breast, salad, pasta and mixed vegetables all available. There was also rice pudding, and a huge range of fresh fruit for afters. There was also a little treat for the players who have worked their socks off so far, as they were handed a plate of chocolate dipped strawberries to dig into.
12:59pm - I can hear the church bells ringing from across the small village of Irdning, that must mean it's 1pm. With that comes lunchtime, so I'm off to see what's on offer for the lads today, and then sit down with Rudgey and Ryan.
12:52pm - Had a brief chat with Tuncay a while back and he says tomorrow afternoon's opposition Bursaspor will provide the Potters with an extremely firm test. They won the league last year against the odds, managing to oust Besiktas, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce. He likened their success to Stoke winning the Premier League.
12:50pm - I'm planning on sitting down with Ryan Shawcross and John Rudge later today to get their views on the training camp so far. Make sure you keep an eye on the website throughout the afternoon for them.
12:38pm - As temperatures hit 30 degrees Tony Pulis and John Rudge have decided to cool down in the pool. I say cool down, they are actually swimming lengths to keep fit. The gaffer is claiming to be doing 100, I just hope Rudgey isn't planning on doing the same. Thankfully, if he is, Doctor Dent is nearby keeping a close eye on him!
12:21pm - It doesn't look as light as I first thought. Just popped down into the gym and the lads are working extremely hard. Liam Lawrence, who is extremely fit anyway, told Danny Higginbotham to brace himself as he and the rest of his group vacated the gym.
11:43am - I think it's just another light gym session before a bit of water aerobics. I'm off to see what they are upto in there.
11:23am - The first of the players are out and about ready for an 11:45am meet in the gym. Danny Collins and Michael Tonge are hovering around, whilst Dave Kemp is about too.
11:00am - The two kit men are working hard collecting the players training gear tggether before dispatching it off to be washed at the training ground. It should be back at lunchtime, just in time for them to hand it back out to the lads ahead of this afternoon's final session.
10:23am - Another new face is expected to arrive at camp imminently in the shape of First Team Coach Mark O'Connor. 'Dessie' as he is known is linking up after remaining at home for the start of the camp.
10:18am - The gaffer has confirmed that we will be departing the hotel for two nights following tomorrow afternoon's game against Bursaspor and travelling to a hotel about an hour away which is on a huge lake. He is doing it to give the players a little bit of a break, and on Friday will be taking them to white water rafting, before going out for a meal in the evening.
10:12am - The lads are all in their rooms now, whilst a few have ventured into the physio's room for a spot of treatment on any minor niggles. Matty Etherington has had ice on his knee after feeling a slight twinge, whilst Ryan Shawcross sat out of the last part of training yesterday. Both were back in full training today though, and showed no signs of any after effects.
09:55am - Fuller is immediately trying to dislodge Ben Marshall as king of the table tennis, but from what I saw he should stick to the football. Danny Pugh told him likewise.
09:35am - Just back from breakfast where there was a lovely selection of fruits and cereals on offer. There were also eggs, beans, tomatoes and mixed vegetables... but no bread. That did cause a little bit of disappointment amongst the squad especially Danny Higginbotham. Apparently the gaffer has decided to cut out bread from the options as he strives to keep them on track in terms of fitness. Tuncay wasn't too best pleased neither, but he was soon back to his usual happy self.
08:50am - I was on the receiving end of a practical joke at the training ground from one of the players. The gaffer decided he wanted additional help to collect the balls and distribute them to the players during one of the drills so he asked me to help out. Unfortunately, as I have no pockets in my training shorts, I placed my phone on the side of the pitch next to all the lads personal belongings. After 30 minutes or so I return to retreive my phone only to find It's gone. I frantically look around for it and it's nowhere to be seen. The gaffer assures me it will turn up eventually... maybe in a day or a week he says. 'Schoolboy error' Ricardo said to me. Fortunately having sampled life around the players for a few years now I have learned to put a password lock on my phone to stop anyone causing any mischief. The player in question did attempt to guess the password, but as he had no luck, I found the phone waiting for me on my seat on the coach once the session was over. Phew!
08:43am - The lads are now cooling down in the outdoor pool. It's not even 9am yet and the temperature is already 24 degrees, and not a cloud in the sky. Today could be a scorcher.
08:33am - We are back and the players are looking better with every day that passes. It was more running this morning, but this time it was with the ball. Liam Lawrence was looking extremely good, as was Fuller, Michael Tonge and Ryan Shawcross.
06:46am - Ricardo Fuller, who arrived late last night, is already up and about despite the manager telling him he can stay at the hotel to warm up in the pool. He says he would rather give it a go at the training ground.
06:44am - Guten tag, and welcome back to stokecityfc.com. Once again we are all up early for this morning's session. The Gaffer has decided to do things slightly differently today as we will be taking a trip to the training ground rather than venturing to what is known as 'the hill'.
