Midfielder Richard Chaplow has said he and his colleagues are making the most of the trip to Portugal for our pre season training camp.
With four seniors left behind, and manager Ian Holloway taking the opportunity to cast a close eye over youngsters at the club, Chaplow says that everybody has been making the most of it when it comes to increasing fitness, team bonding and having good a full discussions about how we will play next season, tactics and trying to learn from errors we made last campaign.
With two days to go before we return to our home base this weekend, Chaplow told the official site that everyone had been giving their all whilst we were abroad.
‘It’s been very tough but the lads are grafting. We’ve been up at 7.30am and doing plenty of sessions which have included hill runs and other strong cardiovascular work. As well, we’re learning more from the manager about systems and how he wants us to set up and play.’
Chaplow says it’s been very demanding, but ultimately that’s what pre season is supposed to be about and everybody knows that the hard work now will more than pay off as we enter the season and progress through the coming campaign.
He feels it’s very good that it’s not just fitness work we are looking at, talking systems and styles this early is helping the players connect to the challenge ahead and despite the fitness work being tough, having more of a playing focus keeps spirits naturally high, as it obviously helps the players see what they are working for.
Having made the move from Southampton to Millwall last summer, and suffering some injury issues, 29 year old Chaplow only made 21 appearances throughout the whole campaign, and only five of those came under the new gaffer, but he says he feels back to his best now and the injury niggles are long behind him so he can’t wait to really show the fans what he’s about as a player.
‘It was very frustrating at times for me last year. I was playing regularly up until Christmas but was disappointed with the back end of the season. The treatment room can be a difficult place to be. I’m enjoying being back in training with the lads and am feeling good. Fingers crossed I have an injury free pre season and am available for selection when things get underway. When fit I know I can be a good midfielder in this league because I’ve done it regularly before.’
Vital Millwall on:
Vital Millwall on:
Chaplow – We Are Making The Most Of Portugal
