Off to Sonny Spain
AFTER a 1-0 over Oxford United extended Argyle’s sensational run of form, the manager and goal-scoring centre half revealed plans for another warm-weather getaway to keep the squad fighting fit for the run-in.
The Pilgrims push forward to the final 12 games of the Sky Bet League One season just one point outside the play-off places, boasting a run of one defeat in 14 games and five straight victories.
With the target of maintaining their momentum and keeping fitness levels in check, the squad now head off to Marbella this week, just as they did last season, to train in a new setting and focus on the task ahead.
“We’re looking forward to it,” said manager Derek Adams. “We’ve had a hard season and the players have worked ever so hard.
"We’re going to get a bit of sun and train in the warm weather, and look forward to next week’s game. It certainly does help. I’ve done it many times in my managerial career and it’s a good place to go. It’s a good time of year to go there and the facilities are excellent.
“It’s been organised for a number of weeks now. It’s about getting the players out there to recharge and look ahead to the final 12 games of the season.”
Sonny Bradley was the goal-scorer at the Kassam Stadium, securing the win that leaves the Greens within touching distance of the top six as they head abroad for a few days.
As Sonny points out, the plan worked wonders for the squad last season – and he even had a quiet word with the Argyle Chairman James Brent to get the ball rolling on another Marbella training trip for this season.
“We’re off for a bit of warm-weather training now; we’re off to Marbella, so I’m sure we’ll be preparing well for Bradford,” said Bradley.
“At the awards night a few weeks ago, I spoke to the Chairman. I said to him: ‘When we went to Marbella, we came back and beat Exeter and got promoted. We’ve got to go again’. He said: ‘Leave it with me. I’ll see what I can do.’ Then last Saturday, the manager comes in and tells us we’re going to Marbella!
“It’s certainly not [a holiday]. It certainly wasn’t last year. I think last year a couple of lads thought it was going to be a jolly-up, but I can tell you now: it’s far from that. It’ll be double sessions every day; very similar to what we do in the week, just warmer and dryer, hopefully.
“We’re in the mix now. We’re going to go to Marbella and we’re going to work harder than we’ve ever worked before. We’ll be turning up against Bradford, expecting to win.”