See what the players have been up to in week 3
PREPARATION for 2014-15 continues apace as programme of friendlies begins.
Training on Monday 14th July began with a good warm-up before the group was divided into 4 teams of 5. 2 of the teams played in a small-sided game with the goalkeepers involved. This was fast-paced high intensity work followed by an active recovery head tennis session, involving 2 teams of 4.
The fifth group participated in an Illinois agility test on a well established course layout, with Chris Squirrell using speed gates to record times. The afternoon session was a continuation of the strength and conditioning programme at 3-1-5 Health Club.
Tuesday saw the group split again with Ken McKenna taking 8 players and working on the back line, paying attention to shape and focusing on defending aerial challenges for crosses and long balls. Manager Bentley simultaneously worked with 9 attacking players on possession, particularly combination play around the box and finishing.
The players were then brought together and had the defensive side of the team who would go on to start against AFC Liverpool worked together with the goalkeeper in an overload scenario.
The Shrimps enjoyed a good workout at the Arriva Stadium and prevailed 5-0 with most of the players getting 45 minutes under their belts, with the exception of Andy Wright and Paul Mullen who both played for the full 90 minutes.
Thursday featured a prehab session with Chris Squirrell and Simon Farnworth, with the aim of the session being injury prevention and core stability work facilitated by plenty of stretching. The afternoon was spent on the 3G pitch behind the Globe Arena and involved light ball work and recovery runs. The strength and conditioning programme was then completed by a pool recovery at 3-1-5.
Friday involved some sharp possession drills and then an 11v11 game focusing on building up from the back, through the midfield into the forward players. An 8v8 game followed with players in wide areas creating chances from crosses.
After Saturday’s match against Dundee, Jim Bentley said: “Some stuff we’ve worked on throughout the week was evident in the game which was pleasing.
Overall though, the main goal was to give the lads a good workout without picking up any injuries. We did that and showed some good signs but plenty of work remains to be done.”
The players were empowered to take charge of their own recoveries on Sunday and they resumed training yesterday morning, passing drills followed by an exercise on defensive shape without the ball and overloading the defenders in a 10v8 scenario.
This was followed by a small-sided game where 2 teams are the focal point and the 3rd team play on the outside and are restricted to 1 touch. These 5-minute games achieved their intended effect by being quick and sharp. The session concluded with set plays against, and throw-ins for.
Tuesday evening will see the Shrimps take on League 1 side Oldham Athletic at the Globe Arena with a 7.30pm kick-off.