I decided to get to the Riverside early (9am) to catch everyone arriving and try to have a few words with some of them. First to get there (no surprises) was Bobby, closely followed by Al. I spoke to Al who said his knee was fine and he would be at the Man U game. Duncan said the same thing. I congratulated Kieron Dyer on the birth of his baby. I asked Gary Speed if he would smile for a photo, he said he wasn't a morning person but smiled anyway! Carl Cort and Daniel Cordone arrived together. I got them to sign the photos taken on Tuesday. Whatever Alan Oliver says, Cordone doesn't speak any English! He signed the photo and tried to say something with a lot of pointing and gesticulating! I finally figured out that he was asking for a copy of the photo! He is definitely a headbanger - apart from the hair he has tattoos, several earrings and arrived for training in a heavy metal t-shirt!

Apparently the players get fined if they arrive late, so by 10.15 they were all in. By this time the early morning coffee was taking effect so I went across to the park to use the loo. I was surprised to see Domi jogging round there with one of the coaches!

Back to the training ground for 11.00. The keepers were already out warming up and I stood for a while enjoying watching Shay Given and Steve Harper stretching their legs! The rest of the team arrived over on the main pitch and warmed up and passed the ball around. Only the first team was there, apart from Howey and Gavilan who are playing with the resorves against Durham tonight. The Argentinian lad Bruno was there along with 2 lads from Boca Juniors who are training with the team for the week. One of them appeared to be called Pedro, or at least that's what he was getting called!

Bobby was stood at the side talking to Paul Bracewell. He then came across and called the defenders over. Even with a dodgy leg he was running around to show them what to do. I have never known anybody with such enthusiasm and energy. The rest of the team were practising trapping the ball with one foot and passing it with the other. After a while they all joined up for the usual practice game. Bobby had a few sharp words for LKD, accusing him of going to sleep - must be what fatherhood does for you! He's only a bairn himself!

After lunch I went back to find only about a dozen players out on the field. Ian the security guy said that those who were playing tonight had left but Al, Dunc and Rob Lee were still there 'cos their cars were there and Dunc was probably playing pool! It looked like fitness training and was a bit like watching a school sports day! The players were doing short sprints then jogging back several times and also running towards each other, turning and running back. They were also doing sit-ups which included heading the ball thrown by a partner each time you lifted your head.

After that had finished they strolled back across the field giving us plenty of time for autographs and photos. I decided to get some photos of them standing up instead of sitting in their cars for a change! I took one of Cordone and assured him that I would get him a copy! Also Dabizas, Speed, Gallacher and maybe a couple of others I can't remember! They will all be online when I get them back and get a chance to scan them.

Round to the gate to catch them leaving. Quite funny as it was the same group I had been speaking to about 10 minutes before. Had a laugh with Cordone about taking another photo and promising him a copy of that one as well! Who needs a common language?

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2000

Answers

PS Karelse was still around as well, not in Turkey!

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2000

Great stuff Steph, as usual. So Dunc WAS at training this morning then. Reports from the excellent nufc.com had him down as "definitely not sighted at first team training today, his whereabouts being unknown." Heartened to hear Al being positive over his fitness.

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2000

Thanks, Steph. Great stuff.

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2000

Oh and my Dutch sources had Karelse as being on trial in Turkey last week, not this, and available on a free.

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2000

Thanx Steph! LOVE to read reports like this :-)

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2000

Ah bless you, Steph!! Great report and even better to hear Dunc is in fact still around. Love the bit about Cordone. Sounds like you've got yourself a buddy! ;-)

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2000

This sort of thing is gold dust. Excellent stuff. Thanks Steph.

-- Anonymous, August 11, 2000

Piccies can be seen here.


-- Anonymous, August 12, 2000