These past few days have been full of talk of “who’s on the plane, in the departure lounge and on the beach” with regard to players involved in international friendlies and hopeful of going to the World Cup finals this summer, but the same period is crucial to those involved in the bottom half of the Premier League and the promotion-chasing hopefuls in the Championship.
Most if not all of the clubs in the top half of the Premier League will be left with only a handful of players who are not on international duty but at Brighton and some other clubs a large percentage of us remain and have a full two weeks and in some cases three without a competitive match.
I have read that this is the perfect opportunity for those players to go on a “mid‑season jolly” and fly to exotic destinations without a care in the world, let our hair down, top up our tans and in some cases drink more than we should be doing, heading off on almost a mini-stag do.
Given the recent and understandably negative coverage of the taxi episode involving some West Bromwich Albion players, supporters and journalists can be forgiven for believing this to be the case, with the stereotypical perspective of a top-class group of footballers being immature, spoiled and unaware of the privileges of their profession being reinforced by tales of tawdry episodes while abroad.
But these trips can be crucial in terms of the rejuvenation of the physical capabilities of players – helping them to train and afterwards recover with the health benefits of vitamin D from the sun. And perhaps more important is the opportunity for players to sit together, to have meals in a completely different environment and to have shared experiences as a group – something that is so important for the team dynamic and, if done sensibly and within the boundaries of acceptable behaviour, can have remarkably positive results in the improvement of that vital if intangible component, team spirit.
I have been on mid-season breaks and sensed a complete change in the standard of performance both in training and matches, alongside an increase in the sense of the importance of the team group. By going away you end up sitting with players who you normally would not have time to socialise with amid the day-to-day demands of training, matches and family time at home. This is fantastic for group morale, with players finding not only common ground with each other but also having time to discuss their own performances with their peers and what needs to be done for the team to be successful for the remainder of the season.
Players who are new to the club are afforded the chance to get to know their team-mates on a more personal, relaxed level and in turn the players they will have to rely on week in, week out in order for them to achieve positive performances on the pitch – individually and collectively.
This time last year we went to Valencia for four days just after losing a crucial game away at Leeds in our quest for promotion to the Premier League. We feared at the time we were tiring and running out of steam but had a fantastic time together, training properly in the sun, recovering by playing cards or golf together and laughing as a group. When it came to our evening meals the topic spoken about every night and at length was how we could improve and how we needed to stick together. A real bond, already strong between us as a group, was further strengthened and the result when we got back was five wins in a row and an unbeaten run that took us to our wonderful position in the Premier League.
Was that trip the sole reason for that run? Of course not but it didn’t adversely affect our performances and a lot of the players still at the club attribute that four-day period as having a crucial part in our success in achieving promotion last season.
If done professionally and properly, without excessive drinking or behaviour, these trips can be hugely beneficial for teams either fighting for promotion or battling relegation. During the run‑in it is not only the technical and tactical side that will be important in gaining crucial results under severe pressure, it is also the psychological aspects such as resilience, togetherness and selflessness that are just as crucial, if not more so.
These are not qualities that can be solely or artificially improved at the training ground but require the right environment. With the correct degree of professionalism they can be nurtured by being away together as a group, having shared experiences and strengthening the bond of a group immeasurably.
That is why right now – although points are not being played for and performances are not being analysed – could be a crucial time in determining the outcome for many clubs come the end of the season.
It is those teams and players that are training together in more exotic climes and spending important down-time with each other that will set the tone for the ever-important run-in. How they act, behave, train and socialise on such trips could either be a huge advantage or disadvantage come the season’s day of reckoning in May.
The Guardian Sport
