Inside West Brom pre-season training: A day watching the session in Portugal

The Express & Star was granted access to Thursday’s training session at the Baggies’ enormous, plush resort in the Algarve and experienced a close-up view of the new coaching set-up under James Morrison.

Here is a flavour of what we spotted as the 28-man travelling squad were made to sweat in the continental sun.

Sessions

The club’s base, 20 minutes or so out of Albufeira, is absolutely huge. The grounds span several kilometres and buggies are required between the fancy accommodation and training pitches.

Monday and Tuesday featured double sessions, which has been the norm this pre-season. In an interview with Barney Stewart and chats among other players, high on the agenda was how hard the squad has been worked physically, with director of medical Tony Strudwick at the forefront. Wednesday afternoon was the week’s one bit of time, mostly filled with golf, before watching England.

Light gym work typically kicks off the day, with some warm-ups.

As we watched pitchside, the 24 outfield players split into two groups to work sharp, one and two-touch drills around mannequins to find colleagues while constantly on the move.

For an early warm-up drill it was intense work. We witnessed Gavin Strachan, one of Morrison’s new coaches, lead the nearest group with real enthusiasm and a high tempo. The players were made to work hard and accurately.

The other group was led by Matt Gill, whose coaching manner and style is extremely popular with players. Gill and Strachan are very highly-regarded coaches and we got a sense of that through the sessions.

It switched to a fun but intense 11 v 11 featuring an unusual tweak - four goals.

Keepers Max O’Leary, Matt Ingram, Ben Cisse and Joe Wallis did the honours as the two teams tried to switch play quickly to score. It was certainly competitive as Baggies players put in challenges and groaned at any chances missed.

Tammer Bany and Alex Williams did shorter one-on-one work.

Thereafter two groups took it in turns building from the back, passing and moving swiftly with intensity from side to side before a trigger from coaches to attack via balls down the side and crosses. Some of the finishing was strong and the tempo was high throughout.

Coaching dynamic

The work of Gill and Strachan is going to be central to any success guided by Morrison this season.

Onlookers comment on the impact they have had on players already and the respect they command as coaches. Within the game they are regarded as two extremely strong operators - Gill’s influence last season speaks for itself - and the suggestion is Albion have worked their contacts well to attract them.

It leaves an interesting dynamic with Morrison more the observer - in a sort of traditional manager style.

Morrison still coaches and will continue to do so, but he is able to keep watch and assess while his trusted lieutenants deliver sessions. It is a marked change from under Ryan Mason.

Albion’s boss will continue to demand, and intervene with a whistle, when required.

Tony McMahon, the other new assistant coach, has been best friends with Morrison for two decades and will be a perfect soundboard for the head coach when he requires it. It was likened to the famous relationship between Tony Pulis and Dave Kemp. McMahon will be the perfect foil for his close friend.

He coaches, too, and was spotted delivering a right-back lesson to youngsters Alex Williams and Alfie Maughan.

Strudwick has been leading all the physical work. His demands have stepped up under Morrison.

The club’s new technical director Dominic Price arrived on Thursday morning and watched training and will be in place for the Bromley friendly. Owner Shilen Patel, who watched on from Austria last summer, is not expected.

Individuals and thriving youngsters

Star attacker Isaac Price rattled in a couple of wonderful strikes from range in an encouraging glimpse for the new campaign. He got away from Carter Pinnington to bend into the top corner on one occasion.

It was noted how a couple of Albion squad players, namely defensive duo Chris Mepham and Krystian Bielik, had reported back in top condition.

Twelve youngsters, including new recruit Pinnington, are away with Albion.

Midfielder Cole Deeming is in excellent condition and has been shining in the intense running. Harry Whitwell converted a fine finish as did full-back Maughan on a couple of occasions. Exciting duo Maughan and Matty Crowther are the younger and more unfamiliar players on tour.

Others are keepers Wallis and Cisse, defenders Williams and Jamal Mohammed - a late call - attacking midfielder Souleyman Mandey, winger Ollie Bostock and striker Jack Bray.

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