James Collins has applauded the team effort from players and staff to pull together and ensure a successful pre-season week away in Bratislava.
The under-21s head coach has explained that the players have been pushed harder than ever over the last seven days, with 6am starts and double sessions in the intense Slovakian heat testing the group to the max. Two friendly matches against Budapest Honved and Slovan Bratislava also provided differing challenges on the pitch as the youngsters were put to the test, both physically and mentally.
On the week as a whole
“It’s been a brilliant week. We’ve pushed our players probably harder than we’ve ever pushed them in my time here.
“The plan is to get them fitter, stronger and more robust than maybe we’ve been in the past, but also not end up with injuries to young players.
“The sports science team have been brilliant at that and managing that, but we’ve pushed them, we’ve tested them.
“They’ve had some really tough days here this week – double sessions, morning and evenings. There have been some early morning rises and then two tough games.”
Putting in the graft 🥵 pic.twitter.com/7QtFeKHYnj
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) July 19, 2024
On the two games
“We did really well on Tuesday to win relatively comfortably in the end, but it wasn’t an easy game. The boys did really well, implemented what we’d like them to do and there were some good individual performances.
“Saturday was a really good test against a real physical team, a top team in Slovakia. It was just the right test for us.
“We were disappointed, obviously, to lose the game 1-0. A few mistakes led up to the goal which was disappointing because I thought in the second half they didn’t get near our goal. First half they did, second half they didn’t.
“We looked like the more threatening team, but it was an even game that didn’t quite go our way. A really good week, a really good test with two good games and the boys are more connected, bonded, fitter, stronger and we’ve managed to keep them off the treatment table which is also key.”
On being mentally prepared for it
“It’s a test of their professionalism, recovery strategies. One night the boys are playing bowling and pool at 11.30 at night and I’m thinking they’re going to struggle in the morning, and they did.
“They’ve got to understand when they need to rest, when they need to sleep and when they can relax.
“Getting up for 6am runs every day for these young footballers, they’re not used to that. They’re used to training hard, but they’re not used to getting up at 6am to go running in the extreme heat.
“Two training sessions plus that in 35 degrees heat has been an absolute challenge, but that’s why we did it and that’s why we wanted to do it.
“We’ve made it less social this year. We haven’t been out on as many excursions and trips – we’ve made it a training camp and I think the boys have responded well to that.”
On a team effort
“We’ve got some fantastic staff. From analysts to sports science to player care and education. Everybody has to pull together.
“Our connection with the 18s coaches, we’re sitting there in the evening discussing players and what’s next for them.
“The kit men are absolutely working their socks off over here, it’s the whole lot. It’s a group effort to get these players ready for the start of the season and ready for their careers.
“It might seem glamorous to come abroad in the sun and you’ll see the pictures on Twitter of the sunlight and it’s beautiful.
“But, when it’s 6am starts and 9pm in the evening finishes, the only thing you’re doing in the gaps is sleeping.”
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) July 19, 2024
On working with the players this coming season
“We never know quite what we’ve got until the end of August when the loan window shuts.
“What I have been delighted with, is these boys have stepped up and really bought into the group ideal of working for the team, combining, playing with each other and becoming a cohesive unit which will then, ultimately, help them as individuals progress.
“Sometimes you get a group of young players at this level and there’s a selfishness to them that they want to do it for themselves.
“You need a bit of that, but you also need to buy into the team dynamic and they’ve done that brilliantly this week.
“I’m delighted with them. There are some good characters there, some good players there and it will be interesting to see who comes out the pack.”
