Albie Morgan: Blackpool's Pre-Season in Spain Crucial for Team Unity
Albie Morgan highlights Blackpool's pre-season trip to Spain as essential for team unity and bonding. Despite a setback against AFC Fylde, the focus remains on integrating new signings and preparing for a successful League One campaign.
Image Credits: Lee Parker - CameraSport via Getty Images
Blackpool midfielder Albie Morgan hopes the club’s pre-season warm-weather trip to Spain helps the club implement some much needed “team-bonding”.
The Seasiders kicked off their pre-season with a shock 1-0 defeat to non-League AFC Fylde in their opening friendly of the season.
Integrating New Signings
With five new players having joined the Bloomfield Road ranks ahead of the start of the new League One season on Saturday 10th August 24-year-old Morgan is ready to ramp up preparations for a successful campaign.
“The better we can start building those relationships, well then I’m sure the better that will start having a positive affect on the team,” Morgan told SportsBoom.com.
Image Credit: Blackpool Football Club
Manager’s Vision and Player Adaptation
“It’s important to learn new things, the same for the new lads, it’s important we try and implement the things the manager (Neil Critchley) wants us to do.”
“I found it easy to settle in when I joined the club, but it’s (the trip) important for team-bonding for the lads so they can settle.”
“I’m sure they’ll all settle in fine. It’s a great opportunity for them to get to know the boys and, the same for me and the boys who have been here a while it’s a chance to get to know new faces.”
“It’s about building relationships, because that definitely has an influence on the pitch.”
Critchley has been in the summer window with experienced strikers Jordan Rhodes (Huddersfield) and Ashley Fletcher (Watford) having been recruited to strengthen the Seasiders’ firepower as the look to win promotion back to the Championship.
Midfielder Lee Evans has joined from Portsmouth, while left-back Hayden Coulson has bought into Critchley’s vision for success having signed from Middlesbrough.
Defender Zac Ashworth has also been snapped up from West Brom as the Lancashire side look to make waves in the third tier this season having narrowly missed out on the play-offs by just one points last term.
We’re working hard, whether that be the running or the tactical work, we’re trying to improve every single day
Albie Morgan
Preparing for a Tough season Ahead
“That’s what we’ll continue to do. We’re expecting a tough week in Spain, we know it’s going to be difficult, but it’s going to be good to change location and put in the work out there.”
“The off-season seemed to drag a lot longer than usual than in recent years, so it’s nice to back out there and playing again.”
“We’ll keep building up to the start of the season.”
Moving Forward After Pre-Season Setback
But what about defeat to Lancashire neighbours AFC Fylde ahead of their opening league game against Crawley Town in a few weeks’ time.
“The most important thing is getting time in the legs to make sure you’re ready for when it really matters,” said Morgan.
“It’s a long pre-season, you build up to the start and we’ll keep building on that.”
“I just want to keep building fitness, to keep training hard and, obviously, we’ll be looking for better performances and results.”
“I’m sure it will come, we’re working hard every day until the start of the season.”
“The scoreline was disappointing, but it was our first game back so there’s time to improve.”
“All the boys are just really grateful to be back playing in front of all the fans again.”
“The scoreline is one thing, but if we look at the bigger picture it’s important at this stage of the season to get minutes in the legs after just getting back to pre-season.”
“The most important thing at this stage of the season is coming through with no niggles and injuries.”
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.