Sweat, bonding and... Jason Mraz - Madders’ first Tour as a Spur
James Maddison told us before we jetted off to Perth that our Asia-Pacific Tour would be hugely valuable time for a new player with the squad - 10 days in, with the squad now on the final leg in Singapore, and it has ticked all the boxes for him.
Well, maybe apart from one box, but that was more down to Madders’ singing than anything else! So, let’s get to that detail first...
Initiation song...
James: “I actually sang I’m Yours by Jason Mraz, quite badly, actually. I was a bit nervous! I don’t normally get nervous in those situations, but I was. It’s one of those things, the initiation song, you know it’s coming, as soon as it’s dinner, the tap of the glass, that means one thing... the minute and a half after that is all a blur now! It was 100 per cent effort, I’m not sure if it was 100 per cent quality!”
Tour
James: “It's been a really good Tour so far. This is a very easy group to transition into, I said that a week ago and I reiterate it now we’re a week better off. The beauty is that you get to know your new team-mates really well, members of staff, you have to, you’re together 24/7, under the magnifying glass, and when you are with the same group for that amount of time you find out what people are into, common interests, that sort of thing and that’s how you build relationships.”
Perth to Singapore - 65 degrees to 87!
James: “You have to deal with it, first and foremost. You sweat - a lot - so you have to rehydrate heavily during and after. It does take a lot out of you, but it can only be good, can only be beneficial and that’s the way the manager wants to play, you have to do it, it’s non-negotiable. You have to run, you have to work hard, you have to press. In the freezing cold, I’m not sure his philosophy will change, so it’s grit your teeth and get through it, all good.”
Surprise, surprise...
James was asked in a press conference ahead of our sadly cancelled fixture against Leicester City in Bangkok which player had surprised him since he’d been at the club.
James: “Good question. The level has been very high to be honest. The quality of the squad... I’ve played against these players for many years, but when you’re training with them and see them in the detailed, tactical stuff... even in the passing and shooting drills you really get to see your team-mates, and the quality has been very high, I’ve been very impressed, and long may that continue."