|
  
|
DAILY RECORD
Strach's training camp is hell
by Carl Askew
12-07-03
No messing with the wee man
FIERY Gordon Strachan is on collision course with Swedish World Cup star Anders Svensson for a second time in three months in a furious row over pre-season training.
Svensson criticised the Southampton manager's tactics after their FA Cup Final defeat to Arsenal back in May - then hurriedly withdrew his comments. The Scot backed his player, insisting his words had been taken out of context.
But the centre-back looks set to be hauled over the coals for a second time after branding Strachan's training camp "hell" and claiming the boss reneged on a promise that he could have a rest instead of joining up with the rest of the Saints squad.
According to Svensson, Strachan phoned him after Sweden's Euro 2004 win over Poland on June 11 and congratulated the player on a good game after he scored two and set up a third in the 3-0 victory.
Strachan, claims Svensson, rewarded him by excusing him from the club's gruelling pre- season camp in Scotland.
But when he arrived back from holidaying in the Seychelles, Svensson was stunned to receive a phone call from Strachan insisted he had to come.
Svensson said: "If he had told me straight away that we had to be there for the team spirit or something like that then I would have understood it, but this?
"Four weeks rest doesn't feel like it is long enough, the others have had more time off.
"I didn't have to go last season as I played in the World Cup but the others in the team have told me what it is like.
"I know what they do and it is not fun. I can't believe that pre-season training could be tougher in any other club in Europe than it is at Southampton.
"You can call it the training camp from hell. You are divided into teams and everyone in that team gets punished if you have the slowest person in your group and if you are last you also get a lot of abuse. I feel sorry for the guys who will have me in their team.
"The easiest session they had last year was the first night when everyone thought they were free. But then they had to first run 4.8 km and then run sprints and then another 4.8 km as fast as they possibly could.
"I am not very good at running. I don't like it and it is not a secret. English people just seem to be able to switch off and run.
"It is no surprise that Paul Telfer is Gordon's favourite player - he is the best one at running."
The blast appears to edge Svensson close to the St Mary's exit door with persistent rumours that the player is unhappy and would prefer a move to a so-called bigger club.
The row is also the last thing Strachan needs with Chelsea circling over star full-back Wayne Bridge.
|
|