LIAM Manning hopes Oxford United’s trip to Spain will strengthen relationships among players and staff.
The U’s head to Alicante today for a week of warm weather training, before returning to Oxfordshire on July 8.
New signings Ruben Rodrigues, Jordan Thorniley, Josh McEachran, James Beadle and Fin Stevens will all be present in Spain, as Manning seeks further gelling opportunities after the playing squad returned for pre-season training earlier this week.
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Speaking ahead of United flying out to Spain, head coach Manning outlined what he hopes to get out of next week.
He said: “It’s about being clear in what you’re trying to achieve for a pre-season.
“We’re quite clear that most importantly we get the maximum number of players available for the first game.
“That six-week block we’ve got training is physically and mentally stretching the players, and to get some tactical principles in it.
“Spain is a terrific opportunity for us to increase the intensity of relationships and increase the intensity of bonding from a team perspective, and it allows us to do double and triple sessions every day.
“That’s ultimately why we’ve decided we’re not having a game while we’re out there, so we can maximise training opportunities.
“It’s going to be an extremely intense, full on programme, but one I’m really looking forward to.
“It increases the intensity of relationships. It’s 24/7 that you’re together, sharing rooms is a key bit and the number of meals you have together increases.”
Once the squad returns from Alicante, the players will take part in a handful of behind closed doors fixtures, including welcoming a Southampton B side to the county on July 15.
The U’s travel to Vanarama National League outfit Eastleigh on July 18, with the first pre-season friendly on home soil coming up against Championship side Swansea City on July 21.
Another behind closed doors friendly will be held at second tier Bristol City’s training ground the following day.
United then welcome another Championship side in the form of Queens Park Rangers on July 29.
BREAKING: #oufc have completed their fifth signing of the summer with a Premier League right back joining on loanhttps://t.co/HwLGLXWm7o
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) June 29, 2023
Pre-season will be the first opportunity for Manning to truly shape his side, after taking over as head coach on March 11.
He watched the 3-2 defeat at home to Derby County from the stands that afternoon, and then oversaw 10 games in a 51-day period before the end of the 2022/23 campaign.
With little consistent time to work with his players, the summer offers a chance for the 37-year-old to now build a team in his image.
After agreeing moves from Notts County, Blackpool and MK Dons respectively, Rodrigues, Thorniley and McEachran have all officially become U’s players after their contracts expired at their previous clubs yesterday.
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About the author
To sign up to Liam’s latest Oxford United newsletter for free, click here: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/newsletters/
Formerly the politics reporter for the Oxford Mail, Liam now covers all things Oxford United.
Liam attends the U’s home and away, as well as covering other big sports stories across the county.
His Oxford United newsletter is released every Saturday morning at 6am.
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