ALBION returned from their training camp in Scotland today with Head Coach Darren Moore noting a significant ‘step up’ in the intensity of their pre-season preparations.
Darren took his senior squad away to St Andrew’s University’s sports facilities for the most intense training so far in the build-up to the 2018-19 campaign.
The players' training was interspersed with strength and conditioning sessions and they will be hoping to enjoy the fruits of their labours in our second pre-season friendly of the summer schedule on Saturday at Swindon Town.
“It’s been an excellent week,” said Darren.
“In terms of the group moving to the next stage of our preparations, I couldn’t be more satisfied.
“It was right for us coming up here and getting the focus back on, using some excellent facilities…the group have applied themselves really, really well.
“Not just the players but the staff too - the whole group. Physically and mentally, getting the players to where they are now has been a ‘win-win’ for us.”
The trip has been notable for some individual highlights including new keeper Sam Johnstone’s first training sessions with the Baggies and a return to full-time training for James Morrison after his determined battle for fitness following injury.
But what delighted Darren most was a sense of plans ‘coming together’ within the mix of senior and younger players, staff and coaching team - which he believes bodes well for the challenges ahead.
He added: "The biggest thing at this stage is the physicality and endurance of the group - we’re seeing good signs developing within the group.
"But some of the football work we have been doing as well has also given us some good early signs. We have got three or four weeks to prepare and go into more detail. That’s what we want from our pre-season.
“The application from the players has been magnificent in terms of their going about their work and achieving here what we set out to do.”