First-team coach Ian Hendon says West Ham United have made the most of their time at Dubai Sports City
Hello everyone,
As he has done throughout his managerial career, the Gaffer has brought the squad away for a short warm-weather training camp.
This is something the manager has done since I played under him at Notts County back in the 1990s. He took us away from the training ground for a few days and, as much as anything, the change of environment gave us a boost.
Nowadays, we are fortunate enough to have the resources here at West Ham United to take the squad away to Dubai, where they not only benefit from the change in surroundings, but also from having a bit of sun on their backs.
We have done this in each of the previous three seasons and the statistics collated by our analysis staff have shown that these trips give the players a welcome boost.
As the manager has explained, there are well-documented physical and psychological benefits to giving the players a break from the training ground and everything that goes along with being Barclays Premier League footballers.
Therefore, it has been good for the lads to get away after such a hectic period over the last few months.
We all know that our recent results have not been what he had hoped for and expected, but our performances have generally been very good during a challenging set of fixtures, so it was important for us to take stock, refocus and recharge bodies and minds for our final ten important league matches.
As he has done throughout his managerial career, the Gaffer has brought the squad away for a short warm-weather training camp.
This is something the manager has done since I played under him at Notts County back in the 1990s. He took us away from the training ground for a few days and, as much as anything, the change of environment gave us a boost.
Nowadays, we are fortunate enough to have the resources here at West Ham United to take the squad away to Dubai, where they not only benefit from the change in surroundings, but also from having a bit of sun on their backs.
We have done this in each of the previous three seasons and the statistics collated by our analysis staff have shown that these trips give the players a welcome boost.
As the manager has explained, there are well-documented physical and psychological benefits to giving the players a break from the training ground and everything that goes along with being Barclays Premier League footballers.
Therefore, it has been good for the lads to get away after such a hectic period over the last few months.
We all know that our recent results have not been what he had hoped for and expected, but our performances have generally been very good during a challenging set of fixtures, so it was important for us to take stock, refocus and recharge bodies and minds for our final ten important league matches.
We are confident this break will give the players a chance to recharge their batteries and push back up the table in the remaining fixtures
The facilities at the Dubai Sports City are some of the best you will find anywhere in the world, too, meaning the players and staff could work efficiently and effectively.
We have also enjoyed visits from two familiar faces – former West Ham striker Frederic Kanoute and the ex-Spain full-back Michel Salgado, who each run soccer schools for young players in Dubai.
The main purpose of the first few days out here was for them to rest and recover from the match against Chelsea. They have been doing work on the beach, in the gym and in the pool.
On Sunday we were back on the training pitch, getting a feel of the ball again with a bit of passing and head tennis.
The Monday morning session was a fairly normal start to the week, similar to what we would do back home. This was a harder session that included more ball work, as well as 8v8 matches and strength work to finish off.
We are confident this break will give the players a chance to recharge their batteries and push back up the table in the remaining fixtures.
You can be rest assured that the lads will be firing on all cylinders when we travel to Arsenal on Saturday.
Come on you Irons!
Ian Hendon
First-team coach
We have also enjoyed visits from two familiar faces – former West Ham striker Frederic Kanoute and the ex-Spain full-back Michel Salgado, who each run soccer schools for young players in Dubai.
The main purpose of the first few days out here was for them to rest and recover from the match against Chelsea. They have been doing work on the beach, in the gym and in the pool.
On Sunday we were back on the training pitch, getting a feel of the ball again with a bit of passing and head tennis.
The Monday morning session was a fairly normal start to the week, similar to what we would do back home. This was a harder session that included more ball work, as well as 8v8 matches and strength work to finish off.
We are confident this break will give the players a chance to recharge their batteries and push back up the table in the remaining fixtures.
You can be rest assured that the lads will be firing on all cylinders when we travel to Arsenal on Saturday.
Come on you Irons!
Ian Hendon
First-team coach