Today was also the start of my fourth week here in Ireland (specifically Northern Ireland), and the time has really flown by to be honest. Like all Monday’s, it was back into routine today. Arrive, foam roll, stretch, mobility. 30min technical scouting of Longford, who Derry play this Friday, and then finally out onto the field. A grueling 100min session, with many similar exercises and drills, however we finally did some structured passing drills which was good because it allowed me to focus on specific aspect of my game; controlling my first touch into a place for me to make the next pass effectively, keeping my head up when the ball is traveling to me to survey options, and most importantly, passing the ball to the receivers correct foot to allow them to take their touch effectively. Then a fitness component was added to it which challenged mental capacity and concentration to still effectively and efficiently pass the ball. All good stuff to better my game. And of course we finished with 8v8 to goal with players on the outside.

A quick shower and then I spoke to the manager briefly to try and get more of an understanding of my situation with the team that he has been speaking to about me. Not much progress there, but hopefully some movement in the next few days as this team plays a friendly next Saturday and I would love to get my feet in the door with this team if it is where I am going to end up! We shall see.

We grabbed some lunch and then headed off to the gym. The gym session was a good challenge and the program is continuing to focus on specific muscles and movements the body does or requires in football, so its all really important work and I do feel stronger because of it.

Home finally for the afternoon around 3.30pm. Surprisingly enough the sun was trying to stay out longer than a few minutes, so I took the opportunity to read my book outside in the sun. Well, it was in and out for about 15-20min, before it began to rain and that was the end of that.