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).
Thursday (July 15)
10:32pm - Anyway that's it for me, I'm off to my room to brace myself for tomorrow morning's 7.00am wake up call. I just hope I'm not put in a raft with two or three certain lads. I'm sure I will be going for a swim at some point. Speak tomorrow.
10:20pm - Most of the lads are now in their bedrooms resting up ahead of tomorrow's white water rafting expedition. They have the afternoon off tomorrow so I will report what they will be upto as and when I find out.
10:01pm - I can hear the coaching staff singing 'happy birthday'. It must be to the new Fitness Co-Ordinator who is today celebrating his birthday. I've heard whispers he has been telling people he is 35. I'd beg to differ. Though he is an exceptionally fit lad. Happy birthday anyway.
9:45pm - Well just a little note about the game, I must say I was impressed by the Potters tonight. Considering they are two weeks and four games behind Bursaspor, we actually looked the better and fitter side. The result didn't really matter, but the gaffer was pleased with how his side looked. Look out on the website for his thoughts and the photo's from the game.
9:15pm - A huge thunderstorm is passing over right now. It feels like we are back in Stoke.
8:55pm - The players were deservedly piling their plates high this evening following the game. They had obviously worked up some hunger. They had chicken, spaghetti, fish, vegetables, salad and fresh fruits.
8:45pm - Having arrived here I must say thehotel and it's surrounding are very impressive. The hotel is situated right on the edge of a huge lake. We were taken straight to our rooms, then we made a quick dash down to the dining area.
8:32pm - First of all apologies for the lack of posts over the past few hours but with the match taking place I had a minute to minute to do, as well as taking photographs for the website. Then obviously we travelled 90 minutes across country to Fuschl to the new hotel.
3:53pm - Well I am going to switch over to the live minute to minute account of the game. I will post back on here later this evening upon our arrival in Fuschl with post match reaction from the Potters camp.
3:49pm - There is even a Turkish kebab man here selling foos, whilst there is Turkish music banging out of the PA system. There are around about 20 City supporters in attendance too. A good turn out considering the game was only organised at the start of the week.
3:48pm - Here we are and I must say it is absolutely boiling hot. It's apparently 38 degrees over here. The players from both sides look very hot and sweaty already. The Turkish team seem to be taking this very seriously. There are at least 15 Turkish journalists here as well as a host of camera men broadcasting the game live in Turkey.
2:35pm - The coach should be arriving soon, so I'm going to sign off for a little while. I will speak to you with the latest team-news upon our arrival in Stainach in around about an hour or so. Remember we will also be bringing you a live minute by minute account of the clash on stokecityfc.com, so contine to log on throughout the afternoon.
2:23pm - Interesting that today's game is actually being broadcast live back in Turkey. I suppose there is alot of attention surrounding the newly crowned Supa Lig champions, and add to the fact that their international captain Tuncay will be featuring for the Potters. Remember the Turkish side have been back in training a while longer than City so you would expect them to look a little fitter than our lads.
2:05pm - Assistant Manager Dave Kemp is already packed up and ready to go, and is now watching the Open (golf) on the television inside the internet room.
1:53pm - Well it's time to pack up and get ready for the match. Some of the lads have just started to clear their rooms; with my neighbour Ryan Shawcross being one of them. Not long until kick-off now.
1:25pm - All of the lads are now up in their rooms resting up for the game, with the exception of Liam Lawrence and Ben Marshall who are down here in the internet room.
1:06pm - The former West Ham man also confirmed he will be in at the Britannia Stadium on Tuesday to put pen to paper on the four year deal he agreed prior to departing for Austria. Great news!
1:04pm - Matty Etherington has just confirmed that he won't feature in today's game. He has a slight knock to the knee and he says whilst it is frustrating not to be out there getting some game time he says he would rather rest it up and avoid any further long term damage.
12:58pm - Obviously with the game there was a lot more energy foods. Pasta, chicken, fish, egg, beans, toast and rice was all available. No salads though, but there was still a huge selection of fresh fruit, including red grapefruit.
12:24pm - Lunch is being served slightly early today due to the game, so I'm off to see what's available today.
11:45am - With the team departing for Fuschl after the game everyone has got to pack up before we leave. Some stuff being left behind. All the training and physio equipment, as well as some of the players personnal belongings are being left in a room which is being hired out for the few days we are away. We return back here on Saturday morning.
11:23am - Fortunately it isn't quite as hot today due to the clouds hanging over the mountains. I'm sure the players will be delighted with that considering it's matchday. It is still in the mid 20's though.
10:54am - I can hear a few lads downstairs shouting and laughing so they must be taking in a spot of table tennis and playing on the PS3. Kempy and Mark O'Connor are checking out what's going on in the world on the internet.
10:28am - The two kit men are hard at work ensuring all the players are fully equipped for the game later on. Not only that, but they have got to make sure they have the right stuff for the white water rafting tomorrow, which I have been told I'm also doing. Then there is the club polo shirts and matching shorts for the rest of tomorrow. It's certainly keeping them busy.
9:50am - Breakfast has been served and most of the players were in and out pretty quickly. I think they are wating to get a little bit more sleep so they are fresh for later. If you want to find out more about City's opposition today check out our guide to Bursaspor, simply by clicking HERE
9:15am - Mamady Sidibe and Matthew Etherington both went out for bike rides instead of training, whilst Liam Lawrence withdrew from the session early. From the sound of things though, they are all ok, and are expected to feature agaisnt the Turks today.
09:10am - The team is now making its way down to the dining area for some breakfast before the gaffer will instruct them to return to their rooms for a rest ahead of the match later on. There will be a pre-match meal at around 12:30pm, before the players will all get changed here in the hotel premises and then leave for the ground at 3:15pm.
08:58am - The goalkeepers also continued their work-outs with some kicking, catching and shot stopping and both continued to look superb. Asmir really does look to have huge potential. Even one of the locals came up to me and said how good he was.
08:35am - It was a surprisingly hard and long session for the players this morning. With the game later on, I thought things might have been easier for them, but the gaffer continued to build up their fitness with a number of drills. There was a dribbling one with the players split into two teams. The lads had to dance their way through the cones, with the slowest team having to do a forfeit. It's good to see the gaffer with the lads from such a close distance on a daily basis. The banter is brilliant and you can tell every single one of the lads listens to every word he says. There is a lot of mutual respect between them all.
06:45am - The weather has been absolutely perfect for training over here, maybe a little too hot at times but the lads have been coping extremely well. The bus is already parked outside and I can see several of the lads hovering around it from my balcony, so I better go down and join them.
06:28am - It's good morning from everyone here in Austria, as the players continue their preparations for the new campaign with a training game. Turkish champions Bursaspor provide the opposition in Stainach, just five minutes drive away. Remember, kick off is 3pm (UK time) so make sure you log on throughout the afternoon for all the latest from the clash.
