Give Us a Break: Why a Few Days in the Sun Can Be Crucial for a Season’s Run-in

 Newcastle players arrive at Murcia airport before their warm-weather training camp in Spain last week. Photograph: Serena Taylor/Newcastle Utd via Getty Images
Newcastle players arrive at Murcia airport before their warm-weather training camp in Spain last week. Photograph: Serena Taylor/Newcastle Utd via Getty Images
TT

Give Us a Break: Why a Few Days in the Sun Can Be Crucial for a Season’s Run-in

 Newcastle players arrive at Murcia airport before their warm-weather training camp in Spain last week. Photograph: Serena Taylor/Newcastle Utd via Getty Images
Newcastle players arrive at Murcia airport before their warm-weather training camp in Spain last week. Photograph: Serena Taylor/Newcastle Utd via Getty Images

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



Alcaraz Struggles with Stomach Issue in Loss to Ruud at ATP Finals

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz waves to his fans at the end of the singles tennis match of the ATP World Tour Finals against Norway's Casper Ruud, at the Inalpi Arena, in Turin, Italy, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz waves to his fans at the end of the singles tennis match of the ATP World Tour Finals against Norway's Casper Ruud, at the Inalpi Arena, in Turin, Italy, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
TT

Alcaraz Struggles with Stomach Issue in Loss to Ruud at ATP Finals

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz waves to his fans at the end of the singles tennis match of the ATP World Tour Finals against Norway's Casper Ruud, at the Inalpi Arena, in Turin, Italy, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz waves to his fans at the end of the singles tennis match of the ATP World Tour Finals against Norway's Casper Ruud, at the Inalpi Arena, in Turin, Italy, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Carlos Alcaraz struggled with a stomach issue and looked far from the player who won two Grand Slams this year while losing to Casper Ruud 6-1, 7-5 at the ATP Finals in Turin on Monday.
It marked Ruud’s first victory over Alcaraz in five career meetings, and the result could make it difficult for Alcaraz to advance from the round-robin stage at the season-ending event for the top eight players.
“I didn’t feel well on court,” Alcaraz said. “A few days before coming here, I got sick at home. ... This morning, I feel uncomfortable in the stomach.”
In the same group, Alexander Zverev began his bid for a third ATP Finals title by beating Andrey Rublev 6-4, 6-4.
The top two finishers from each group advance to the semifinals.
On Sunday, top-ranked Jannik Sinner and US Open finalist Taylor Fritz beat Alex de Minaur and Daniil Medvedev, respectively, in the other group.
Alcaraz won the French Open and Wimbledon to boost his career total to four Grand Slam titles. But he also struggled at the Paris Masters recently and dropped behind Zverev to No. 3 in the rankings this week.
“I have no experience playing on indoor courts,” The Associated Press quoted Alcaraz as saying. “I’ll be a really good player on indoor courts, I’m sure about it. But I think it’s about time, about getting experience. ... A lot of players are better than me on indoor court.”
Ruud reached the 2021 semifinals and 2022 final in his first two appearances at the finals. But he has struggled recently, too, losing his first or second match in his last seven events.
“I’m not full of confidence,” Ruud said. “A match like today might be able to change it.”
Alcaraz was broken when he served for the second set at 5-4.
Alcaraz led 25-16 in winners but committed 26 unforced errors to Ruud’s 10.
Ruud converted all four of his break points while Alcaraz was just one of six in that category.
“I’m tired mentally," Alcaraz said. "Obviously a lot of matches, really tight schedule, really demanding year with not too many days off.”
Zverev rolling after Paris Masters title Zverev, who won the finals in 2018 in London and 2021 in Turin, extended his winning streak to six matches following a title run at the Paris Masters.
Rublev is making his fifth consecutive appearance at the finals but hasn’t won a match at the event since 2022.
Zverev served nine aces and dropped only 10 points on his serve in 10 service games.
“He served wide 220 (kph) on the deuce side,” Rublev said. "Normally everybody serves slice and it’s 190. He find(s) a way to serve 220 wide on the deuce side. It’s not easy.
“Even if you catch the direction, when the flat serve comes 227, slice serve comes 219, 215, it’s tough to just see the ball.”
Sinner receives No. 1 trophy Before the Zverev-Rublev match, Sinnner received the trophy for finishing the year at No. 1 in the rankings.
“There’s no place better to celebrate this trophy,” Sinner said as his mom, Siglinde, looked on in tears. “Thanks for all of your support.”
Sinner is playing at home for the first time since it was announced before his US Open title that he tested positive in two separate drug tests this year.
A decision to clear Sinner of wrongdoing was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency in September. A final ruling in the case is expected early next year.