Saddlers defeated but return home with plenty of positives...
OUR week long stay in Devon came to a disappointing end with a 2-1 defeat at Torquay United, but we return home with plenty of positives.
“We’re getting fitter and stronger all of the time,” said James Chambers. “We’ve done a lot of work on the training ground and in the gym over the past week, the benefits of which will be seen once the season gets underway.
“It’s all about putting the effort in so that we are ready to go from the off. There are still a few friendlies to come and it will be about getting ourselves fit and ready for August 9th.
“The week away has also helped the new lads settle in and it’s clear to see that we have a good group here with a lot of talent.
“The Gaffer is looking to add to that in the coming weeks to really help us push on.”
The past week has also seen the players involved in various team-building tasks and activities, which have been embraced extremely well.
“In an industry, if you enjoy being around the people you work with each day, it helps massively,” added Chambers. “We all have a common goal and a fantastic team spirit, which is born out of the fact that the Gaffer and Richard O’Kelly select the characteristics of our new players very carefully.
“The level of ability amongst the young lads coming through has also impressed me greatly with the likes of Reece Flanagan, Liam Kinsella, Kieron Morris and Amadou Bakayoko all doing well this week.
“Hopefully they will get their chance to show people what they can do this season.”
Chambers admits that the performance at Plainmoor, particularly in the first half, fell below the standards that we know we are capable of.
“We want to perform in every game,” he continued. “We know that we didn’t do that in the first half but were better after the break and will take the positives from that.”