Newcastle United's performance director James Bunce provides insight into Austrian training camp
The Newcastle United squad are currently in Austria for their warm-weather training camp ahead of their friendly against Celtic on Saturday.
Eddie Howe is putting his squad through its paces in the mountains this week, with Anthony Elanga and the Magpies' international players all involved after returning to training a week later.
The club have posted a few videos behind the scenes of training, and it looks like Anthony Elanga is managing the infamous Eddie Howe training sessions like a champ.
Meanwhile, performance director James Bunce has spoken to NUFC's official media team to give an insight into what's going on.
James Bunce is building the intensity
James Bunce was hired by Paul Mitchell to help with player fitness following a very injury-hit season, and there was a noticeable improvement in player availability during the last campaign, thanks to Bunce. Fans were worried that Bunce would leave along with Mitchell, but thankfully, he has stuck around and is now giving us a bit of a peek behind the curtain from Austria.
“This is week two for us in pre-season. So, the first week is kind of like at the training ground, usually.
“As you saw, we played Carlisle at the end of the week. Just getting the lads moving again. So they’ve had a nice well deserved break, some more longer than others.
“Here in Austria, Austria’s a famous place to come for pre-season. One, because of the natural beauty. Very good secluded location allows us to have a lot of time together in privacy. I’d like to say nice weather but it’s very much like Newcastle weather at the moment! But the lads will appreciate that from the warm climate we’ve had.
“It allows us to have a lot of time together, we have got new players, new staff in with us. Allows that time for bonding, allows us time to go through all the stuff that isn’t only on the pitch, but it’s off the pitch, the team building, the connectivity. Taking a lot of time in meetings to start work on the tactical preparation for what is obviously going to be a massive season for us. And then obviously the work on the pitch is a foundation of what we’ve got to deliver.
“So starting to build the intensity as we head through this week and obviously end with a massive game at Celtic Park on the weekend.”
Intensity is our identity
Building up the intensity is obviously a key thing, given that 'intensity is our identity'. Even though there's talk of a switch in tactics next season, we don't see our high press going away, as it is what has made us successful under Eddie Howe.
The game against Celtic on Saturday is unlikely to be played at a blistering pace, as will be the case for many of the pre-season friendlies, as the last thing you need is players breaking down injured before the season gets underway.
As long as the lads are up to speed for the trip to Aston Villa on opening day, then it's all good.
