Rich reflects on a big week of pre-season preparations as he and the boys ready themselves for the big kick-off
The evidence was there to see as we disposed of Parma in our final pre season game at the Vic. Another good week was capped off by some fine play on our way to defeating Seria A side Parma on Saturday.
Goals from Tamas, Danny and Tommy were no more than we deserved for what was a very good way to round off an undefeated pre-season.
Although there is speculation surrounding a few of our lads I have no doubt that if we can keep the nucleus of the squad together then we may surprise a few people this season. Danny Graham has been very impressive in training and games so far, his finishing in the training drills we do is clinical (at my expense!) and him and Tamas seem to have struck up a bond very quickly.
We then have a few young lads who have made an impression this pre-season who I can see featuring in the near future. Michael Bryan, for instance, has emerged as one to keep an eye on this season, not to forget Lee Hodson and Rob Kiernan who will both have their opportunities soon too.
The week itself was slightly broken up as we flew back from Spain on Tuesday. We finished out there with a 1-1 draw with local side Lleida. Again, positive aspects to take from the game with perhaps not the results we hoped for but it was another good warm-up in preparation for the one that matters next week - and the small matter of the nine months following that!
Training did settle down a bit this week, the first three to four weeks is always incredibly intensive but now we are approaching the season itself then the script changes; much more technical work and less in terms of physical graft.
We will still train to a high level but the idea being that we now have the base fitness needed for the season ahead and it’s more a case of maintaining and ensuring we are 100 per cent for each and every game, rather than working at our optimum seven days a week and fatigue setting in.
We also had our ‘season launch’ on Thursday evening. It was a great opportunity to speak to those who were there and hear their various thoughts regarding Watford FC. The general feeling I get right now is one of optimism.
There could well be changes before the first game of the season but I feel we have the core ingredients right now.
We have a dedicated, strong manager who has first-hand knowledge of getting out of this division (three times!). We have good coaching staff to back him up (I’m fortunate to have one of the top keeper coaches in the country in the shape of Alec to guide me). The players have a bond, there are no ‘bad eggs’ so to speak and the new lads have settled in very well.
So we’ve made it through pre-season and now the real fun begins. I’ll look forward to chatting to you again next week and, all being well, reporting on a resounding win over Doncaster.
Cheers for now!