The trip provided yet another opportunity for the group to build closer relationships and experience football in a different country. The old gold utilised the facilities on day one at Ciudad Deportiva de Paterna, before taking on the Spanish outfit the following day. And although Valencia were 3-1 winners, Ian Sharps, who led on the coaching on the trip, has taken plenty from another successful night away where the players were once again provided with a valuable life experience.
On going abroad for the night
“It was a really great experience put on by the club. When the Valencia under-21s came over in December, we were able to build some really good ties with the club and last week go out and play a game against their under-17s/18s group. It was great for the players to go abroad and play in a different country.
“From a social point of view, to get to know the lads, was brilliant. The staff put on a few different exercises to bring the lads out their shells and they took it really well.
“We got to learn things that we wouldn’t usually learn at the training ground. We had a few meals together and took part in activities, so it was good to see the lads in a different light.”
On being able to speak the language
“A lot of the lads do Spanish in school so they were trying to test that out. The was a little group within the staff doing Duolingo and one of the staff was teaching them Spanish.
“It’s brilliant to use it, try and learn it and put into practice what you’ve been doing over here.”
On travelling and making the most of your time
“When we got over there they were very accommodating and they were really good people. It was quite a lot of travelling which is good for the lads as well because if they get further in their career, they’ll understand that you have to do quite a lot of travelling in football.
“You have to be able to occupy your time well rather than just sitting around. There can be a lot of wasted time in football waiting to play, so it’s good they understand that.
“We had a training afternoon at their training ground when we landed. Their women were playing Barcelona that night so it was quite busy and we got to watch a bit of their under-16s training.”
On the match
“We played the match the next day on a really nice enclosed pitch – their showpiece pitch where their women had played the night before. It was a really good pitch and a slightly different climate, so it was a great experience.
“They had two different teams so it was hard for our lads. We only had four subs and one got injured very quickly, so we were limited on numbers and they had two 11s. They had lots of energy and our lads matched them for large periods.
“We were looking to play and be progressive with our play all the time. We had numerous chances where we could’ve possibly scored.
“If we’re being honest, we gave a couple of sloppy goals away but that was because we were trying to play rather than just kick it long. As coaches, we have to accept that sometimes players are going to make mistakes and we haven’t got a problem with that as long as they’re trying to do the right things and improve.
“It’s better for their experience and long-term learning that we try and do what we do best and have a right go at them.
“They went three up and then we scored to make it 3-1. It was a hard game in terms of them having a bit more of the ball than us, but we were happy with the forward runs and chances on goal the lads produced. We wanted to score more goals than we did, but we were really pleased with certain aspects of the game.”
On the positives from these trips
“It’s an ongoing thing with the lads. The club were brilliant in the first place to be able to let us go out there.
“The lads have got a tour to Italy in April, which will roughly be the same group of lads - that’s more of a tournament with different groups and teams.
“The Valencia trip was more of a one-off. In a way, you’re trying to replicate a European game for a first team where they go for a night, play the game and come back.
“Bringing it back here, we just want to keep progressing as a team. The lads have done well since the new year and we’re happy with how they’ve been playing. There’s still a lot more improvement there and we’re just trying to help them.”
