http://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/24550/town-squad-in-portugal Have to wonder why, maybe heavy pitches at Playford but do we not have an indoor training pitch for use in these conditions?
Because they will have an edge about them for weeks after the opportunity to train in luxury and comfort. While they're out there for a few days Mick will be able to drill as much into them as a couple of weeks back home. It's also a great bonding opportunity because instead of going home or shopping or out to nightclubs the players will be having a great time together, not to mention the stimulation of a change of scenery and to the routine. Superb move by the football club.
Agree with you Hampie,Town showing a bit of the class for which we used to be famous.Perhaps also a reward for our League position which is exceeding expectations!
I don't know, I can appreciate all the benefits that you've said it just still strikes me as a little strange. Principally because of the costs that would be invovled and the effects of the jet lag. Especially with an away trip to Barnsley. Guess we'll find out on Saturday, hopefully the effects will be positive.
got to agree hampy, good idea to get away, in some nice warm weather to sort out any aches and pains and also bond.
Still an hour out of sync, wont be serious jet lag but add that to a long away trip and we may see some negative effects. Might also end up being a nasty shock to come back and play in these conditions after getting used to the warm weather. Seems im on my own finding it a little strange though, as I said I can see where the benefits may come from. It just seems to be an odd of the cuff decision based purely on the weather, and I couldnt understand why we couldn't use the indoor pitch. If it was a trip within an international break then the positives on the change in schedule, group bonding etc. would shine a little clearer for me.
A trip to the sunshine of Portugal is nothing more than the lads deserve and if it boosts team morale then I'm all for it.
It will only seem like a strange decision if we play poorly in the next match. As with all decisions made by a manager they are only seen as good or bad depending on the next result. I'm with the majority on this one and think that is a good thing to take the boys away for a couple of days. Jet lag isn't even a talking point when you're travelling short distances like that.
I never claimed it would be serious jet lag, and maybe the squad aren't even bothering changing their watches so wont suffer at all. I used Jet Leg as a short - hand for the effects of travelling to Portugal and back, then travelling up to Barnsley. Granted the coach trip to Barnsley will probably take longer than the flight to Portugal, but I still stand by the notion there will be a little extra fatigue, that wouldn't be there if they didn't go to Portugal that may end up having an affect on Saturday. I know its not quite the same thing because its not a match were playing in Portugal but there was that statistic banded around a couple of weeks ago that teams playing away in Europe during the week were significantly more likely to lose the match against a team that didn't play in Europe. Finally, I just want to clarify i'm not against the decision for them to be in Portugal, It just struck me as slightly odd. As San Diego said, whether or not it was a good decision will be obvious at Barnsley.
" maybe the squad aren't even bothering changing their watches so wont suffer at all. " Why on earth would they change their watches? Portugal and England are in the same time zone..... Jet lagged to PORTUGAL hahahah, the time zone is the same and all you have to do is have a 2.5 hour nap. Crikey, there really are some weird people out there. I suggest if you feel this, I recommend you NEVER go on holiday to a place like Portugal for a week. Have two, so the first few days aren't wasted with Jetlag. I am scrolling up to double check I have read this properly...... Yes, yes I have ! I wouldn't want us to qualify for Europe any time soon. Christ, a trip to Ukraine wouldn't bare thinking about with the jet lag.............. Also, don't think this bonding exercise will not result in a few players trying it on/ wanting to hit a bar/ club. They most certainly will! A few will have various stories to tell. Trips like this bring out the best/worst in the players. On that basis, thank god we don't have Carson/ Chopra/ and Bullard! However, we DO have Taylor. Don't expect to see him play any minutes at Barnsley this weekend, I predict this will be the case!
Jet Lag? Portugal? I think from memory it takes about an hour and a half to get to Faro airport, which is about the same time it takes to get from here to Peterborough by car. Its a good move by the club and with a bit of a jolly as well it should be appreciated by the players, we shall see on Saturday. Are you still going to Barnsley jonny?
Takes just over 2 hours to Faro Field Marshall. Sadly I made the mistake of visiting that absolute **** tip of a place. Ended up getting a train to Lisbon, that was awesome! How are you doing Fieldmarshall, long time no speak since we met at the Reading game. I will have a look, and try to upload that picture of the two of us onto the forum tonight.
You'll find most sports will conduct some warm weather training at certain times of the year, for example Athletics often venture out of the UK to get a change of scenery etc. All forms of performance/elite sport consider warm weather training/recovery as an integral part of their season/calendar so I'm glad to see ITFC taking this on board and will be a very worthwhile experience for the players
Ok, so the Jetlag comment was a silly one , I got confused with Spain being an hour ahead. Time is weird, quick hop over the channel you adjust your watch, 2 hour flight to Portugal you don't have to... Even so a 2 hour flight each way may - Ill type that again because people seem to be willfully skipping over that part of my posts - may just have an effect on energy levels come the end of the game with Barnsley, at Barnsley, in these wintery conditions. Like to reiterate again that im not against the decision, i just found it a bit strange. because it seemed an off the cuff decision based purely on the weather, if it was a pre-planned trip (maybe it was, but i've only read the article which doesn't say that, it only mentions the weather and heavy pitches) I wouldn't have even bothered posting. Don't really appreciate the tone of some of your responses though.
A two hour flight each way will effect energy levels !?!?!? Mike, there is bound to be a knock on effect after a European game. That goes without saying. Everything is rushed into three days, plus they have to play a challenging game a lot of the time. I really understand this, and However, a relaxing few days in Portugal will do nothing negative to effect the energy levels ( unless the players go out and get smashed ). Infact, with all the rain in England and the heaviness of the ground, this SHOULD do the complete opposite and recharge the batteries completely. Playing on heavy pitches repeatedly will cause fatigue. Delighted I'm in Thailand right now frankly judging by the grim weather in the UK - sorry guys! This trip cannot and will not be used in anyway should we lose in a McCarthy press conference, that I'm sure. Good way to introduce Richardson for it. PS - E Banks/ Richardson, get a passport sorted for goodness sake!
Maybe its just me and my family, but does no-one else feel even a little drained after an hours plus journey? It may only be minuscule effect and we may just in general have a fitter squad than Barnsley so it really makes my point mute, I expect the game to be decided by tactics but small margins can effect games in the championship. Barnsley, as far as I know, have not travelled this week, and they wont be travelling on Saturday. However minuscule the effect our energy levels will have been effected by the travel. As you say, it may well turn out to have recharged the batteries, but returning to my very original point, and the reason given for travel, heavy pitches. Why is that a factor when we have an indoor training facility? I looked back at the article to ensure I hadnt missed the fact it was pre-planned scrolled down the comments and this post by JustSpivvyChops may explain it better than I have been.
