I arrived early at the Riverside with the intention of catching all the players arriving and having a few words with them. Unfortunately about 30 others had the same idea! The resulting traffic chaos as the players arrived meant that the security guys had to direct several of them through the other gate as they were understandably worried about the bairns running all over the road.

However, I did manage to speak to a few of them. I congratulated Gavilan on an excellent game last night (see Softie's resorves report) and told LKD I had seen him there. He said he had been late, not arriving until about 7.30 which explains why we didn't see him during the first half. Nobby arrived with Cristian Bassedas who had his leg strapped nearly to the knee and was carrying a pair of crutches. I gave Daniel Cordone the photos from the previous time - he still hasn't learnt any English! Alain Goma seemed happy enough for somebody who has allegedly fallen out with his boss!

Everybody had gathered at the side of the running track pitch even tho' I had been told the other pitch was being used. Sure enough, the players came out and headed over to the other pitch. The resorves came out first through the gate, and then the security guys directed the first team to jump over the fence to avoid the crowd. Bobby was with them and we all watched to see what he would do. He came over to the gate and laughed and said that he could jump the fence. Of course he could - the man can do anything including walk on water!

Training started in the usual way. No sign of Rob Lee, although he had arrived earlier. Gavilan also wasn't playing, hopefully being rested after last night to play tomorrow. The young lad they call Pedro was there and also a new triallist I hadn't seen before, a tall skinny South American with long hair tied back. He seemed to be called Jose - anybody shed any light? Lots of passing in threes with Bobby demonstrating how to trap the ball and then get rid of it fast. Also some shooting practice, and unfortunately some of them looked as if they needed it!

I had borrowed a camcorder for the day to film the training - not easy when you are trying to do it through a fence that loads of excited bairns are swinging on. Hence the result is rather wobbly and has lots of nice shots of the grass and legs where I couldn't see what I was filming!

Somebody commented on another thread about language difficulties - I think this may be a problem. Nobby was translating Bobby's instructions for Axl and Domi also seemed unable to grasp some of what he was supposed to be doing. Anyway the whole point of training is to (hopefully) iron out these difficulties. They seemed to do better during the practice game. Steve Harper was yelling at his defenders not to allow any free headers. Just hope they listened.

Unfortunately I had to leave early and came out as they were warming down. I bumped into Riverside Clive on the way out - good to see him again. No time to catch anyone leaving but it will be interesting to see how they play tomorrow.

-- Anonymous, August 22, 2000

Answers

Excellent Steph, to coin a phrase from the great one, you're a little gem!

-- Anonymous, August 22, 2000

Didn't mean for that to sound as patronising as it reads ;0)

-- Anonymous, August 22, 2000

Super stuff Steph (wipes lips) was that triallist the lad we saw last night sitting in front of Bobby? He was having quite a chat with him.

-- Anonymous, August 22, 2000

Thanks again Steph, where would we be without you?

The 'linguistic difficulties' raised my eyebrows. Why are they depending on Nobby to translate, why is there no professional on hand? Surely the money required isn't an issue? Puzzled.

-- Anonymous, August 22, 2000

Great report, Steph! I wonder why Bobby wasn't speaking Spanish directly to Axl and the other Spanish-speakers? Or was he elsewhere at the time? He must know some Spanish as I heard him talking to Axl after training in DC. Of course, mine's not good enough to know if he was speaking sense, or inadvertently ordering tacos to go. ;-)

-- Anonymous, August 22, 2000

Of course, mine's not good enough to know if he was speaking sense.... Judging by some of his English TV interviews.............nee comment.

-- Anonymous, August 22, 2000

LOL...well I often question my own English too...so I won't throw stones. ;-)

-- Anonymous, August 22, 2000

Photos can now be seen here.

-- Anonymous, August 29, 2000