Shrewsbury Town Defender Mat Sadler has admitted that he is looking forward to the squad’s upcoming trip to Portugal.
Town head off for a week of warm weather training on Sunday (2nd July) and it is seen as good opportunity for the players to bond.
“I haven’t got the best tan in the world so I will look to try and improve upon that”, Mat joked.
“It’s going to enjoyable, it’s going to be tough and it’s going to be a time to get to know each other. Over the last couple of seasons we haven’t done anything like that and for 10 months you’re going into battle with these people, so it’s time to get to know them.”
“I’m chuffed to bits that we’ve done it to be honest with you because I think it makes a big difference and it’s something that has been missing.”
With a wide range of sessions planned and temperatures set to be above 30 degrees, it will be no holiday for the Town squad, but Sadler believes that hard work will bring the players closer together.
“First and foremost its warm weather training and we are there to work hard”, said Sadler.
“We’re not out there for picnics and playing golf every day, we are there to work hard. Secondly, we are in each other’s pockets for seven days, so without question we will get to know little bits about each other.
“We will learn what people like, what people dislike and hopefully develop a bond which we can take onto the pitch. Without doubt a bond, a camaraderie and a respect earnt goes a long way, so that’s what we will be looking to get.”