Source: FOOTYMAD
Boss pleased with training camp
Holland trip bringing squad closer together Albion boss Roberto Di Matteo believes the Baggies’ training camp in Holland has brought his squad closer together. The Italian has taken his troops to the Netherlands for a week to focus on tactics and improving individual fitness ahead of the Premier League campaign. Di Matteo admits he’s been delighted with the attitude of his players during the short trip which has been an excellent opportunity for his squad to bond together, both off and on the training pitch. “I am very pleased and happy with the players," the former MK Dons boss said from Albion's training base in Mierlo. "They are working very hard and putting a lot of effort in. "Their attitude is great."We haven't really played any competitive games yet but it's very good that we haven't picked up any injuries in training so that everybody can keep working on their pre-season. "The reasons you go away on a training camp are mainly to change the players' working environment, otherwise it's a long six weeks in the same place. "It gives the players good facilities in terms of being able to rest between our two daily sessions. "They can just go back to their hotel rooms whereas at home they have to hang around the training ground. "We have good pitches here so we can also do football sessions. "The work itself doesn't change much from back home - you just carry on developing the pre-season. "You start with certain topics and work on them whether you are here or in England. "But the added bonus of going away is you can see the players' characters and personalities. "We get to know them a little bit better. "The players also get to know each other better - particularly the new signings. "So there are lots of good reasons for coming away.”
