Nagy the machine, rapid Paterson: Six things spotted from Bristol City's first week back in training Bristol City underwent their first week of training under new boss Dean Holden, being put through their paces before pre-season matches begin Bristol City finally returned to training this week under Dean Holden and were put through their paces by the new coaching staff at Failand. Pre-season means one thing for the players; fitness, fitness, fitness. They will spend the next couple of weeks building up their match fitness before playing pre-season games after a few weeks off, and from the looks of the videos and pictures being put out by club media, they're being pushed to their limits. Fans have been shown videos of passing drills, mini games and the dreaded yo-yo test (similar to the bleep test), which will probably bring back haunting memories of secondary school PE lessons. The Robins welcomed back several players sent out on loan spells last year, including Liam Walsh, Joe Morrell, Sammie Szmodics and Antoine Semenyo, who joined first team training as they look to force themselves into Dean Holden's first team plans. We've picked out six things we noticed from the training videos and delved into what they could mean. Angry Walsh On the first day back, Liam Walsh was filmed pulling up in his car and looking rather glum. After a cheery 'back baby' from Nahki Wells, Walsh had a face of thunder and it left a few City fans slightly worried. Was he frustrated at having to come back to City? Was he worrying about his game time? Did his heart lie elsewhere? The strong likelihood is that none of those are true and he was about to stick a swab up his nose and down the back of his throat. The City players had to be temperature checked and tested, and for anyone who hasn't had a test before, it isn't exactly a pleasant experience and wouldn't likely fill Walsh with joy. There has been some half-hearted rumours that Coventry might try and bring him back this season but those reports are ambitious. Walsh s extremely highly rated at Ashton Gate and could play a big role in the side this season if Holden likes what he sees in training. Nagy the machine The pictures alone tell the story of the yo-yo test, with players sprawled on the floor, exhausted from relentless running after the monotone 'bleep' noises urged them on. It's something players will have dreaded coming into pre-season training, but the videos show one man coming on top of all others. Hungarian midfielder Adam Nagy was urged on by his team mates, who had all apparently since given up. After finishing, the midfielder collapsed despite the several protests from his colleagues to keep going, but after relentless running he was finished. Taylor Moore said what all of them were thinking afterwards, simply stating: "It never gets easier." After a difficult first season, rife in injuries and being put in and out of the squad, Nagy may be a key cog in the City midfield this season. "Can I play forward?" What is sure to be music to the ears of many a Bristol City fan is the words that came out of new coach Paul Simpson's mouth while running a passing drill. "Can I play it forward, can I play it nice and quickly," Simpson said. Lee Johnson was often criticised for his slow build up play, but the coach appears to be encouraging a fast, forward-thinking style of play. Dean Holden's instructions? It appears as if there could be a new style of play being moulded at Failand and with the U20 World Cup winner leading several training drills, it'll be an exciting time when City face off against Cheltenham on August 21. Downing the enforcer Another new face, another set of ideas being communicated; quick passing and fast play being encouraged from day one. Keith Downing joins Paul Simpson as the new kids on the block, and it's clear that they are communicating a new style of play building up to the season. While running his own drill, Downing was heard saying: "Clever play, fast play, full speed. I'll keep telling you, every time, full speed. Move the ball as quick and early as you can." The new Ederson? Obviously not, but Dan Bentley appeared on one of the videos practising his passing drills, passing the ball against a board, receiving the rebound and practising his mid to long range passing to Rene Gilmartin. Dan Bentley was pretty spot on with his short range passing last season, with a 97 per cent accuracy rate with short range passing. And while his 69 per cent accuracy with long range passing is good, 10 goalkeepers to have played five or more games this season rated above him for long pass accuracy. Bentley appears to be practising this and if he isn't usurped by Max O'Leary this year, Holden could see him as the man to start dangerous attacks from deep. Rapid Paterson When thinking of the quickest players in the Bristol City team, the likes of Niclas Eliasson, Jay Dasilva and Andi Weimann probably spring to mind. Jamie Paterson probably wouldn't be your first choice, however from the short speed tests being conducted on the videos, he has impressed his teammates with his speed. One player behind the camera can be heard saying: "That's top three, Rapid," as he crossed the finish line. Paterson had been deployed as a slightly deeper midfielder under Dean Holden during his interim time in charge, but could we see a rapid Pato bombing forward from deep during this coming season? If he can showcase that pace on the pitch, it could be a good weapon from midfield. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/six-things-spotted-bristol-citys-4424523
Nice to read about real training procedures, match fitness, play it forward, clever play, fast play, full speed instead of drones, big tv screens and all the other gismos and twaddle talk that we got in Junior days. Back to the real business by the new coaches.
drove past last week and there was drone over the pitch … maybe looking out for BIELSA'S SPIES THOUGH ………….
LJ mentioned again, your posts remind me of that song "Can't get you out of my head" mind you probably will one day.
