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).
Saturday (July 17)
9:37pm - Things are a little quiet around here now as the players prepare themselves for one last day of training out here tomorrow. They have worked unbelievably hard throughout the week, and they will want to put in one last mammoth effort tomorrow. Goodnight and I will bring you the latest in the morning.
9:03pm - Whilst we are all here relaxing for the evening, I must mention the physios and kit men Gary and Giff who are still hard at work. They all really do a fantastic job, and without seeing what they do you don't appreciate how much goes into things behind the scene.
8:55pm - Whilst we are on the subject of golf. I must mention that John Rudge and Kian, the organiser of the trip, ventured down to the putting green earlier today. According to John, he won easily, sinking a couple of monster putts along the way. Kian says otherwise, and he claims he got the better of him. I'm not sure who I believe... I'll go for Rudgie, as he is apparently a little bit of a cowboy as far as his golf is concerned.
8:40pm - The usual suspects are back on the PS3 in the internet room, whilst at the opposite side of the room is the gaffer, John Rudge, Mark O'Connor and David Kemp who are all glued to the Open. English hopeful Paul Casey has just narrowly missed a birdie putt which led to a few groans.
8:22pm - A lovely serving of veal, fish and pasta ravioli was served up tonight, with asparagus soup for starters. Loads of fruit and a treat of apple pie is available for the lads to tuck into afterwards.
7:38pm - Dinner time now and I'm running a little late so I better dash!
7:26pm - The lads have just been in the pool with the new Physio and Fitness Co-Ordinator Paul Maxwell, whilst myself, Martin Spinks and the coaching staff had a little session in the gym. Even Rudgie was in there, and give him his due he is in pretty good shape for his age.
7:01pm - Prior to this evening's session I was asked by Andy Quy, the goalkeeping coach, to film his session so he can study the positioning of the goalkeepers, and then give them some feedback over the next few days. It was really interesting to see first hand what sort of routine they go through, and you wouldn't believe how much work goes in to making a top goalkeeper. Asmir and Carlo were both given a firm test by Andy as he had them going through a series of tough drills, improving their agility, stance and positioning. They were then called over by the gaffer where the lads took part in some shooting practice. The pair pulled off some outstanding saves with Asmir Begovic in particular looking superb.
6:49pm - WOW! There is one serious storm sweeping through the area. We managed to get back on the coach from the training ground just in time to miss the real heavy rain and crashing thunder. The area is pitch black and you can barely see the mountains which dwarf the town of Irdning.
5:17pm - It's just began to cloud over here, and It looks as though a thunderstorm may be heading in sometime this evening. Anyway it's time for training now down at the training ground. Auf Wiedersein!
4:01pm - Liam has just done a little interview with Martin Spinks from the Sentinel. He says he is just concentrating on getting fit and doing his best for Stoke City amid speculation linking him with a move away from the Club. He has worked his socks off throughout the week, and looks in great shape.
3:43pm - Meanwhile, Tom Soares and Ryan Shotton have ventured down for a quick game of table tennis. The rest of the lads will be resting up, whilst Mamady Sidibe and Ryan Shawcross have both been in with the physio's to receive a little bit of treatment.
3:30pm - Liam is on a one man mission to kill all of the flies. He's just told me they are driving him insane. The window has opened to let in a bit of fresh air, and the swarm seem to be back.
3:08pm - Liam Lawrence, Ben Marshall and Danny Collins are all of the PS3, but there game is continuously being disrupted by flies who keep invading. They have shut the windows now to stop them coming in bu they are now complaining about the heat. They can't win.
2:29pm - Mamady Sidibe and Abdulaye Faye are in fits of laughter on the table tennis table. I can't quite see what's going on but something extremely funny must have occured. The pair of them are always together, and are both always smiling. Apart from when they are on 'The Hill'... and I think that could be in store for them tomorrow.
2:01pm - Everyone is making their way down for dinner now, where I believe lasagna, turkey breast, butterfish and asparagus stew are on offer. There is also rice pudding with mixed berries, which is highly reccommended.
1:54pm - All of the lads have been re-issued with their rooms following their return. We are all going back into the same rooms as we were in before, which will delight the kit men, who will know where to deliver the training kit. They mentioned how much of a pin it would be if they were all moved to other rooms last night.
1:51pm - Just arrived back at our hotel in Irdning, the Schloss Pichlarn, where the players have been summoned straight to the swimming pool to relax the muscles following this morning's session.
12:03pm - Training is underway, so I will report back to you later on.
11:52am - We have safely arrived back at the training ground, a little later than our rep had us to believe. He assured the management staff that the journey would take one hour and fifteen minutes, whilst they said it would be longer than that... they were right, but still Kian continued to insist it was the traffic which caused his error of judgement. There is a lot of good banter between the lot of them. Kian is blaming the late arrival on John Rudge, who temporarily held up proceedings after forgetting his bag at the other hotel.
09:45am - Myself and Michael Tonge were the last two to leave the dining room, so it is now all systems go as we prepare for departure. This little break has been vreally appreciated by the lads, and Tongey was saying he is ready to go again this afternoon. The sleep did him a power of good he says.
09:02am - We have been given a bit of a lie in today as we prepare to depart for Irdning at 10:15am. The gaffer rang the lads last night to tell them to meet in the foyer at 10am, ready for departure. Breakfast is being served now and a number of lads have already ventured across to eat ahead of their training session in Stainach at midday.
