Coming into his prime now is Jake. I think he's going to have a great season and really kick on. Just need to sort his shooting or lack of it out. Pleased for him. Hull City's Jake Livermore - I wish I could give every City fan a kiss and a cuddle please log in to view this image http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/hull...emier-league/story-29504561-detail/story.html THERE have been more grimaces than grins on display as Hull City's players train under the intense heat of the Algarve sun this week. Double sessions, morning and night, have been designed to blow out the cobwebs at the end of a short summer, sharpening up fitness on the countdown to a Premier League return next month. Few appear to have enjoyed themselves ahead of a flight home tomorrow morning yet Jake Livermore has seldom been seen without a smile at the Tigers' temporary training base on the outskirts of Portimao. "I feel fantastic," said City's popular midfielder. "I'm happy now. Or happier, should I say. I went a year without showing my teeth so it's been great to come back and just concentrate on my football." None would begrudge Livermore what he calls a "clear mind" after all he has endured since May 2014. Days after appearing for City in the FA Cup final defeat to Arsenal, the tragic death of his new-born son, also named Jake, began a downward spiral that led to the 26-year-old testing positive for cocaine during the final weeks of City's last Premier League adventure in the spring of 2015. The 26-year-old feared a two-year suspension only for the Football Association to show compassion upon learning of his heart-breaking tale, giving the green light to an emotional comeback last September. Livermore has been determined to not look back ever since and the rewards for his positivity will come on August 13 with an opening day date with champions Leicester City. "It means the world to me to be back in the Premier League, as you can imagine," he said. "It's where I want to be and it's where I feel me and my team-mates should be. "I most definitely go back as a stronger person. And if I can help any of my team-mates like they've helped me, I'll be there. I'll be forever indebted to them and the staff and yourselves (in the local media). "I feel much stronger now. It's great. It's such a nice feeling to go out there and just run around with a clear mind." If Livermore's life was being turned upside down two years ago, there is a clear sense of harmony now. The Londoner is the father to six-month-old son Jayce and speaks glowingly of life with long-term partner Danielle. The dark days are no more. "I've always liked to think I've been appreciative and humble in what I do and what I've achieved, but there's a greater buzz, a greater love for things," he explained. "Maybe that was God's way of doing it but it's all in the past now. Those who stood by me, I'll be forever grateful. The owners, the managers and those behind the scenes. They've made my life much easier on my return and I thank them all for that." There is also a debt owed to City's supporters, who have sent untold well wishes. "I wish I could thank them all individually and just give them all a kiss and a cuddle," he added. "That's how I feel. Hopefully I can show my appreciation on the field. I'm most certainly doing that out here with all the running." The new season cannot start quickly enough for Livermore. His 33 league starts for City last term, as well as three more in the Championship play-offs, illustrated a midfielder keen to make up for lost time. Form around the turn of the year, in particular, was outstanding. The happy ending then came at Wembley with a 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday that booked an ascent back to the big time. "I feel as though I've got a point to prove back in the Premier League, most definitely," said Livermore, who joined the Tigers first on loan in 2013 and then in an £8m deal 12 months later. I felt that the first time around when I joined the club and there's nothing more I'd like to do than do well for Hull City and myself this season. "Collectively we deserve to be here and we want to do it for everyone in the city. It wasn't easy being the big fish in a small pond like we almost were last season but the lads handled it well and now it's time to take the next test. That's what life is about. It's about pushing on." That push has begun again in the Algarve, where City have been based since Tuesday of last week. Today brings the final training sessions before a return to England tomorrow and the opening friendly against Grimsby Town on Friday night. Manager Steve Bruce calls these trips a "necessary evil" ahead of the new campaign and Livermore said: "These weeks are so important, to be out here where your food and fluid intake is all controlled. "Your training sessions are set, the togetherness, the whole thing is just what you need. "If I could do this every other week, bar the running, I would. Everything is just how it should be and no stone is left unturned for getting in top shape. "You become more like a family out here. You spend more time with your team-mates at times like this than you would with your family at home. You learn each other's little traits and pick up on certain things. Hopefully those per cents and bits and pieces help you in the long run. "When we first got out here it was still just the relief of getting out of the Championship. I think it would have been a crying shame if we hadn't have made it. Slowly, slowly, as the days go by and we do more football work, we are getting more excited about what's coming up."
He looks a right unit now. I do wonder if the bulking up has impacted on his ability to get around the pitch as much?
Good man is Jake. It's not the **** hand you're dealt that defines you, it's the way you play the cards you've been dealt. He ****ed up. We know why. He benefited from some enlightened thinking. He's appreciative. That to me constitutes making the best of a bad hand. I really hope this season goes well for him.
I like Jake, he seems a nice guy. A positive thing for us is we now have 3 genuine candidates for captain in Dawson, Davies and Jake. There have been times in the past when you've looked around and saw none.
