Express & Star

Wolves in Shanghai: Nathan Judah's Day 7 tour diary

We went out for a few light beverages after finishing late the night before.

Published

But with the podcast to record and a long day ahead, I made my excuses in the early hours and got a cab home.

Another person (who shall not be named) rolled into bed a couple of minutes before 6am!

But it was all good as Nuno's press conference wasn't until 2pm which left enough time to record the first Wolves poddy of the season.

Tim was a little tender to record the first poddy of the season

I'm going to miss this dynamic - but keep your eyes peeled next week for a little bit of news.

We were split up again for the second day running.

Tim went to interview Nuno and Conor Coady ahead of the Asia Trophy final with Manchester City.

I walked (in driving rain) to the team hotel to record a special episode of #AskBully Shanghai edition.

TS: The press conference was held at the extremely swanky Shangri La hotel, the other side of the river from where we're staying.

Everything has been meticulously planned during this trip and the press conference were no different - West Ham at 2pm, Newcastle at 2.30pm, Wolves at 3pm and Manchester City at 4pm.

I caught the end of Steve Bruce's press conference and it's safe to say he had some tough questions to answer! But it's nothing Bruce hasn't seen before and he looked relaxed and happy as he walked off at the end to chat to some of the English media.

Nuno was on good form, as he has been all week despite what must be some testing conditions for the staff and players. Purely from a football point of view they won't be able to get much out of this week - the heat and humidity make training difficult, the matches are the same, and in-between they've had to attend a host of events to help boost the club's profile. Not exactly a jolly, but then not a week of hard training either, so not ideal.

But, I must say, everyone has embraced the madness and made the most of what's been an important week for Wolves and Fosun. As both Nuno and Conor Coady told me during the press conference, it's been a huge success and they've been humbled and taken aback by the welcome they've received from their Chinese public.

That welcome extends to the media as well - we've been very well treated by Wolves, the Premier League and the Chinese public. Access to the players has been fantastic - I've done a few pre-seasons but I don't remember doing as many players interviews in one week before.

After Nuno, a moody Pep Guardiola took to the stage. Man City have endured a nightmare week, flying out 48 hours late to China. Guardiola was asked pointedly: "Do you *want* to be here, Pep?". "Yes" was his curt, one-word reply.

I got some good content from the Nuno/Coady presser and then took advantage of the best wifi I've had all week at the Shangri La to upload a few stories, including a couple of transfer tales. Hopefully those big moves in the market that Wolves are so keen to make are just around the corner.

Bully has been a proper trooper this trip.

He's embraced absolutely everything and everyone - I had to wait ten minutes in reception as he was mobbed by autograph hunters.

And where had he been? Why was he late? He was at McDonalds!! I take all the praise back!

Bully was on great form

The one thing he's struggled with this trip is the food, but bless him he's tried.

Everyone knows he likes a white wine with ice, so when the living legend asked if I wanted to share a post interview bottle, how could I refuse?!

Uploading video is one thing I will not miss when I leave China. I don't know where I'd be without the help of Sky.

A 12-minute video and the podcast took them over three hours to send back to E&S Towers, but thankfully it was just in the nick of time.

The fans were able to download just in time for the weekend drive home and Ask Bully will be available Saturday morning.

Tim ordered some rice wine

With no food since breakfast, I took Spiers to a little food court very close to the Wolves Megastore.

And thankfully, we enjoyed a delicious banquet for about £20 that consisted of a whole host of delicious food.

We ate like kings

A quick shop at the supermarket and back home to finish off work.

We're due for a midnight finish, which would be our earliest of the trip so far.

With the Asia Trophy final kicking off at 7.30pm local time, I may even have time to go for a run!

I can't believe we've been here for a week already?! Time has absolutely flown by.

Let's hope the final brings Nuno his first silverware of the season!

If they play like they did against Newcastle, they'll be in with an excellent chance.