West Brom tour diary day two: Interviews and watching training!
The second day of Albion reporter Lewis Cox’s diary entry.
It was an early start for a busy one after the night before.
The mood as myself and a media colleague trudged from the Albufeira old town strip after England’s very poor late collapse was a sombre one.
The less said about Thomas Tuchel’s tactics the better. I’m not sure Albion fans would be impressed if James Morrison deployed similar.
With how the night ended I think my highlight was the Piri Piri chicken I wolfed down prior to kick-off. Very cultured, once again...
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My alarm didn’t really help the mood as I felt a little delicate of body and mind but the early start was for a good cause - I was off to the Albion base for 8.30am.
There was an interview with new recruit Barney Stewart at 9. You can read a snippet of what he had to say online and in Friday’s newspaper, but he was a delight to chat for 25 minutes, very affable and quotable.
There is much more of him to come, in column inches and hopefully on the pitch in front of goal. I think he’ll become a big hit with fans.
It was time to watch training afterwards. It is not an experience to take for granted and quite the sight seeing coaches like Matt Gill and Gavin Strachan in proper action up close.
There was a lot to see and learn - most of it can be read here - but I think my biggest takeaway, after chatting to staff and players, was the influence Gill and Strachan will have for the season ahead.
We signed off with an interview with goalkeeper Max O’Leary, who was on good form.
It was also chance to catch up with players and staff. We are set to exclusively interview James Morrison after the Bromley friendly on Friday night, but it was great to have a quiet chat with Morrison and some of his staff, like Boaz Myhill, Tony Strudwick, ‘Jacko’ Smyth and new addition Tony McMahon either side of training.
The World Cup semi-final was on the agenda as Jayson Molumby, Callum Styles and Alex Mowatt chewed the fat.
It’s been a great working day today as I wrap up with my diary entry and record my next tour video - be sure to catch that online.
Friday will feature lots of writing in some down time before the 7pm kick-off in Albufeira. Stay tuned, there is lots to come!
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