In our latest tour diary entry, Noni Madueke underlines the importance of creating memories and making an impression…
Pre-season tours are great when it comes to building squad unity.
Obviously, we are working super hard while we are out here, but the tour also provides the same benefits as going on holiday with your friends, where you can build bonds and create memories together.
It is also really good for helping to integrate new signings and the two young lads from the academy too because you are in a different environment and away from Cobham for two and a half weeks.
This is a group of players who really like to be together off the pitch. I get on with everyone in our squad but probably spend the most time with Carney, Armando, Chilly and Raheem. We are really close off the pitch and spend a lot of time together.
We are working really hard on the training pitch and then in our downtime, we chill with each other, play games, and talk. We are a really tight group so we don’t need to do anything in particular to create those bonds because we all enjoy each other’s company.
The club have also provided us with some cool things to do between our training sessions and meetings.
There is obviously a table tennis table, and I would have to say Raheem and I are probably the best. It is close between us but I am up right now!
I’m alright at the darts but I haven’t really played much this tour. I think Reece and Betts are probably the standouts because they play it the most.
Betts is also good at getting the cards going and I have played a fair bit of Uno with Carney and Armando.
On the pitch, I feel things have been going well for me too as I have played in every game so far.
The objective of pre-season is to learn more about your teammates, improve your fitness and understand what the new head coach wants from you.
I can’t wait for the new season to start. Football is what we do. It is what we love and I am really looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together this year.