Posted by: Richard Lee 29/06/2008
Pre Pre-Season
The last diary entry I wrote after Spain made the semi-finals and today I write this after they clinched the cup.
I think, like most, I felt they were very much worthy winners, not only on the night but in the competition as a whole. I mentioned Iker Casillas last week but once again, although he didn’t have much in terms of outstanding saves, his game was impeccable and it was great to see a keeper that isn’t necessarily your stereotypical keeper in terms of size etc.show that he’s arguably the best in the world right now.
Yet another quiet week on the football front, although I think that will change in the coming weeks as the transfer window reopens and players return to training.\Although we haven’t officially returned to training yet and don’t actually do so until July 7th, I’ve been at the training ground for most of the week to hopefully get a bit of a head start. I’ve been working very hard on the bike in an attempt to gain fitness but to also improve my thigh strength which in turn should help ease the pain that I’ve been feeling in my knee of late.
Earlier in the week I had Clarke Carlisle down to visit for a couple of days with his wife Gemma and his little boy Marley. We had a great couple of days which included a couple of rounds of golf and a barbecue that Lloyd Doyley and his girlfriend came to. It was also a chance for Clarke and Gemma to catch up with a few people they haven’t seen for a while after Clarke's move to Burnley last season.
I finished the week going to a concert at Brixton Academy to watch John Mayer perform, courtesy of one of the coaches at Watford - Greg De Carnys - which was very nice of him. Greg lived with me for the last couple of months of the season when he had nowhere to stay so treated me to the night and it was a very enjoyable evening.
So yet another week of the break over and only one more week to go before we return in pursuit of the Premiership. I seem to be the same every year in that I love my break and look forward to it most years but once I get to this point I’m ready to return and quite excited about doing so.
Although during pre-season you seem to be aching all over for a lot of it, it is a time of the season when you become incredibly fit and usually injury-free after having the break. Plus with the weather being nice I find it strangely enjoyable, It’s always been my favourite time of the season.