With Sheffield Wednesday announcing their plans for a UK based pre-season tour this summer instead of the trips abroad that we’ve taken in previous years, goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith has given his backing to manager Jos Luhukay for the decision.
With the Owls previously travelling to the likes of Slovenia, the United States and Portugal for training camps, this summer will see the lads return to training for pre-season with an entirely domestic-based schedule for the first time since 2005.
Speaking to the Star yesterday, Wildsmith explained that although he was enjoying some time off and the chance to recuperate, he had no issues at all with the announced plans and he didn’t think any of the players would either.
“It makes no difference for the players. It’s no change for us as we’ll be going different places in England as opposed to abroad so it’s still travelling. Pre-season is about getting yourself right for the start of the season, so it doesn’t matter where you go. We’ve just got to put the work in and make sure we’re ready for the start of the season.”
Fans will no doubt be pleased with the ‘matter of fact’ manner he accepts the decision and puts his focus quickly in on what matters, players getting their fitness right for the year ahead and understanding what the gaffer what’s from them in terms of style of play.
When Luhukay previously revealed that having looked at the likes of Austria, Holland and Germany which he’s used before for training camps, he felt it was more sensible to save on the additional travel time and put that to better use with games we can really take something from, fans were largely unequivocally on board.
Cracking idea. They are on holiday now so pre season will be all about training and improving. Fitness was a joke this season due to playing Portuguese pub teams!
— matt pardy (@mattpardy21) May 15, 2018
No problem from me we've been all over shop just lately and look at our treatment room by Christmas time will tell but there might be something in can't fault the man for trying new things ????????????
— Liam (@LiamE1977) May 15, 2018
Or, he knows what he’s talking about and actually wants our players to be fit for the start of the season for a change.
— Matt (@Azuliblancos) May 15, 2018
Clearly an indication of wanting the players to be super fit for start of season. Workrate does a lot in this league.
— Tickedy Boo (@Dango1867) May 15, 2018
Good.
Been too much of a jolly boys outing and tan topping exercise last couple of years. #owls #preseason #newstart #fitness— Lord Snooty (@lordsnooty50) May 15, 2018
This will, of course, have a knock-on effect for any new signings, as the benefits of ‘living together’ properly for a period does naturally lend itself to a group becoming more tight-knit in a shorter period of time, but even remaining domestic, whilst we might not get a full week in on that front, any newbies will have time to settle in more in overnight stays, so it won’t be a complete loss.
Financial concerns were raised as a potential reason by many, but that will always be a worry in the modern game if you don’t have Premier League riches.
Schedule:
Lincoln City – Friday, July 13 – 7.30pm – Sincil Bank
Mansfield Town – Tuesday, July 24 – 7.30pm – One Call Stadium
