Austria Trip

Day 1

Neil Diamond, Sudoku and Tetley’s Tea bags

Day one – the longest day – of Latics’ pre-season trip to Austria took us from sunny Standish to the darkened Alpine hideaway of Bad Bleiberg, with players and staff alike preparing themselves for a week without a few home comforts – or maybe not!

No sooner had our carriage departed Christopher Park that goalkeeping coach Inaki Bergarra was singing his way through Neil Diamond’s and Tony Bennett’s back catalogue, hitting the all notes, just not the right ones.

Manchester Airport awaited our arrival and after a speedy check-in the team were able to stop for a coffee and a glance at the day’s papers before an aircraft that sent shivers through the spines of one or two players, and media staff too, geared itself up for the two-hour flight to Ljubljana.

Mauro Boselli had clearly come prepared, needing little more than a book of sudoku puzzles and a bit of leg-room for a light doze! A frustrated hiss could be heard when the Argentine realised he’d inserted the number 4 twice in the same box – it’s a fair assumption he’ll have more luck in the right box!

With leg-space at a premium Ben Watson had the misfortune of sitting next to Chris Kirkland, but managed to lighten the mood by reassuring the nearby aerophobic media officer; “Don’t worry Paul,” said Ben.

“If we crash, we crash.” Comforting words I’m sure you’ll agree!

Knuckles prised from the arm-rest, bags collected and a brisk coach-ride later the squad settled in for their evening meal. Our media officer’s hopes of steak and chips were dashed, but offerings of pasta, chicken and a sauce no-one could determine the ingredients for ticked all the boxes.

And so to coffee before bed-time, not though for Chris Kirkland. Latics’ number 1 brandished his own bag of Tetley’s Tea bags to provide the perfect night-cap!

Sounds like the lads are having a fun pre-season!