The Wolves Academy players behind Bruno Lage’s first-team are in Salt Lake City this July, taking part in the MLS NEXT Pro competition and broadening their horizons by visiting a different country and continent. Sampling different cultures can help broaden a young player’s horizon and that’s the aim for James Collins’ group, who at the same time are continuing to build towards the new season with a tough pre-season schedule in the American sun.
On taking the under-21s to America
“It’s fantastic. The last couple of years have been really tough, so it’s nice for the players and staff to get away for some team bonding and to see a different part of the world, Salt Lake City, and we’re looking forward to a good ten days of training and games.
“It’s a big learning curve. It’s not just a training camp and games, it’s about the culture, seeing a different part of the world, enhancing the club’s brand in America and doing ourselves proud. We’re being respectful when we’re in the hotel and around the city, representing the club as we should do.”
On activities off the pitch
“It’s ten days when we’re all living together, and it can be a bit monotonous, so we’ve got to find different ways to spike them and get them enthused, maybe though quizzes, games, taking them into the city, seeing what Salt Lake City has to offer, so it’s a big learning curve. You see how people interact with each other, who they bond with, how they are away from the club, away from their parents and it’s a good opportunity to see how they behave.
“We’ve had a little walk into the city to get used to our surroundings. There’s bowling, we might go to the lake itself and do quizzes. They have to present on a topic where they’ve got to deliver a four-minute speech to. They’ve got some research to do on a variety of topics to cover, so we’ll see how they prepare for dealing in front of a crowd.”
Sean Parrish providing the comprehensive USA trip guide.
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) July 20, 2022
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On the importance of pre-season
“Pre-season’s always about fitness, getting your minutes and your load, preparing physically for the start of the season, as well as dropping in tactics in training, preparing for the season, and playing the games against Chelsea, Salt Lake and Colorado.
“It’s a challenge. We said about the rest and recovery, how they behave and their professional attitude. How they look after themselves, are they getting enough sleep, enough rest, it’s a big ask for the players and these ten days living away really will give us some answers on how they’ll behave during the season and hopefully gives us a good steppingstone which we can build on.”
On opportunities presenting themselves
“We’re integrating some of the young ones. The 18s went to Switzerland, stopping in to get a load of washing done and packed their bags to come here as well. It’s been a tough few days for them, but it’s a good opportunity.
“Some of our older lads are with the first-team out in Spain which is a great opportunity for them to train with the Gaffer and first-team players, and it gives the opportunity for the young lads to step up and show to myself, James and all the staff what they’re about.”
Who better to take us through the Salt Lake City squad than @TiptonOli?
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) July 20, 2022
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On the importance of the games
“Chelsea will be interesting because they’re our first game of the season, so it’ll be good to come up against them. For Salt Lake and Colorado, you’re in the shop window because these boys have dreams of being Premier League players, but we know the reality that some have to go further afield to start their career, and that might be in America, so if they do well against Salt Lake City and Colorado.
“It may be a club they represent in the future like Jack Price, one of our ex players. It’s a great opportunity – different teams, different formations, and the heat and altitude is high, so it’ll be a good test for the boys.”
