Read the thoughts of Town's Manager from Spain
- Manager Chris Powell gives his thoughts on pre-season training
- Chris happy with work at Spanish camp so far
- Find out how newest recruit Kyle Dempsey is settling in
Huddersfield Town Manager Chris Powell has spoken to htafc.com four days into the First Team squad’s pre-season training camp in Spain.
Chris, the 25 players and eight staff are midway through the week-long stay at the La Cala facility outside Marbella and the Manager explained the routine to the Club’s official website earlier:
“We met very early on Sunday morning after the game at Guiseley. We arrived in Spain in good fettle.
“I have to say that everything in Spain – the hotel, the people, the football facilities and the training area, which we used for the first time on Sunday evening – are very, very good.
“The hard graft really started on Monday; they’ve had three training sessions each day in the morning, afternoon and evening. The players are really pushing themselves, so we’re really happy with the work we’ve done so far.
“I’m extremely pleased with the decision we made to come here. This work will prepare them well for the games when we get back, which come Tuesday-Saturday-Wednesday-Saturday. During those games I need to think about which way we’re going to go and which players look ready and are making good impressions.”
Powell believes his players will reap the benefit of the hard work they are putting in now when Town’s Sky Bet Championship campaign gets under way at Hull City on 8 August.
“It’s very hard in the hot weather, but the players will gain from that. The work they did with our Head of Sports Science Al Stewart on Monday was all measured and monitored and that will take place again on Thursday, so we’ll be looking for an improvement.
“All the work is monitored via GPS, so we know how much physical work they have done and when we can push them and when not to. Equally they look strong to the naked eye and when we’re finishing, they want to do more; that’s a good sign.
“They look fitter, but we’re still building towards 8 August. We’ll make sure they don’t overexert themselves and go flying into the season.
“We’ve also got some tactical work into the players, including work on our defending. We’re getting all the elements into our training.”
The week-long stay also acts as a good team-building exercise, allowing the likes of the Club’s newest recruit Kyle Dempsey to get to know his new teammates.
Chris continued: “The camaraderie has been good and it’s been a great experience for a lot of young players. I’m getting to know them as young men.
“Kyle has been very good; he’s applied himself very well.
“He’s mixed in with the other lads straight away and did a brilliant version of a Kenny Rogers song last evening, which nobody expected from a 19 year-old!
“Aside from that, he has shown exactly what he is about in training. He’s a good finisher for a midfielder, so it’s no surprise he has also played up front in his young career. We had an England vs Rest of the World competition in training and, although the Rest of the World won, Kyle was the top scorer for England. Joe Murphy was top scorer for the winning side!
“These trips are all about putting in the work, but equally we are together a lot and you have to break it up with these little competitions. They’re still competitive and they still get the work in.”
Only James Vaughan (leg) and Philip Billing (hamstring) have stayed in Huddersfield to receive treatment at PPG Canalside, with Powell explaining that three other players are working through small issues in Spain:
“Jack Senior has missed out on a couple of sessions with an infected blister.
“Although Ishmael Miller and Jonathan Hogg have done some training, they will be missing from the game against Leyton Orient on Saturday. Although they’ve got some work in, they’re not ready to be involved.”
The seven day stay builds up to the team’s second pre-season friendly against League 2 side Leyton Orient at La Cala on Saturday. This game has been moved forward to kick-off at 10.30am Spanish time (9.30am in the UK).
“We want to win, if we can; that’s always good for the mentality. You can’t look too deeply into the results in pre-season, but I feel it’s important to pick up where we left off last season.”
As well as the hard work in training, Chris is also in constant communication with the Club as the recruitment process continues ahead of the new campaign, as he explained:
“I’ve spoken to Dean (Hoyle) and Stuart (Webber) a number of times during my time here and we’re in constant dialogue about recruitment.
“I still think we need two more players, possibly three, to push us on. I’m quietly confident that will happen.”
Town’s squad in Spain:
Alex Smithies, Joe Murphy, Lloyd Allinson; Mark Hudson, Joel Lynch, Murray Wallace, William Boyle, Joe Wilkinson, Martin Cranie (trialist), Tommy Smith, Jason Davidson, Jack Senior, Dean Whitehead, Jonathan Hogg, Sondre Tronstad, Jacob Butterfield, Kyle Dempsey, Duane Holmes, Adam Hammill, Sean Scannell, Joe Lolley, Harry Bunn, Jake Charles, Nahki Wells, Ishmael Miller
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