Express & Star

Wolves in Austria: Nathan Judah and Tim Spiers' Day 6 diary

Pretty chilly today in Schlitters, but no sore head following a few beverages the night before in Innsbruck.

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TS: Alright Pinocchio.

With the game against Viktoria Plzen not kicking off until 5pm, there was room to sneak in another cheeky run.

Different route today, but same eerie horror overtones. When jogging past a disused farm, this sign made me jump out of my skin...think Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

Once you go in, you never come out

Again, no idea what the translation was, but don't think it read, 'come inside for a free cup of tea.'

The photoshopped tweets this trip have been the best I have ever come across during my career. We find them hilarious and today's from Pete Carvell (@gashdigital) was right up there with the very best.

After a quick turnaround, it was time to travel to the rescheduled game.

Myself and Spiers normally get to the ground about two hours before kick-off,but we set off even earlier to pick a stranded fan up in Jenbach (where the original game was scheduled).

We picked up a stray (James Fielden) along the way

It was another 45 mins for supporters to travel than first advertised and a 35-min walk once they arrived in the small village of Westendorf.

We were both starting to flag at this point (potentially from events the night before) so we detoured to a 'drive-thru' McDonalds that not only supplied coffee, but also Redbull bizarrely - both liquids were purchased.

Coffee and Redbull - a great combo

TS: This also allowed for your first opportunity to speak German during the trip so far (!). You've done the stereotype of Englishmen refusing to engage in another language no favours with your "hellos" and "thank-yous" to everyone we've come across, but I was quietly impressed with your first refrain of "danke" to the McDonald's woman.

Build a pitch and Wolves fans will come, doesn't matter where, doesn't matter when and as expected, they were magnificent.

Wolves heroes

Was a pleasure meeting a few of the Molineux men and seeing a couple of the 'Tweeters' in person.

The press room was, how shall I say it...non existent. My view for the first half was interesting to say the least.

TS: Having had a season ticket for 25 years I do miss being a fan from time to time and with there being no press box, this was the perfect occasion to stand behind the goal like a paying punter. The view was terrible, but it was good fun. There were around 150 Wolves fans in Westendorf and I must say hello in particular to an old school friend Anthony Hogan who I hadn't seen for years. Was great to catch up with him. The Wolves family were out in force (and mostly absolutely sloshed).

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The game went by very quickly and it was another polished display that has fans excited for the season ahead.

I understand it's just a friendly, but the style Wolves are playing is night and day to what we have seen over the past few years.

Nuno has definitely had an impact and playing three at the back seems to bring the best out of a lot of the squad.

I thought Roderick Miranda, Ivan Cavaleiro and Connor Ronan were excellent.

I'm beginning to win over Spiers that Willy Boly is a machine and a nailed on fans' favourite. I will keep chipping away.

TS: Big Willy is growing on me.

Again the fans had fantastic access to the players...to say they were on top of them was an understatement.

When all eyes are on you

Just look at the players trying to warm down after the game!

Back to the team hotel for an hour's worth of video editing and then home time via the same McDonalds as Mr Spiers gave into temptation.

I went for a home cooked midnight omelette, but Tim's McDonalds was tempting

TS: I'm sorry I can't let this day's diary go by without mentioning your backwards cap which you donned for the video. I thought New Kids on the Block had split up?

As I type this it's currently 1.45 am, and I've still got about another hour left...Spiers is bashing out a five talking points for tomorrow.

When did Saturday night become so glamorous?!