Sam Allardyce is hoping Sunderland’s warm weather training camp in Dubai can help his players recharge their batteries for the fight against relegation ahead.
The Black Cats beat Manchester United at home 2-1 last time out but still remain in the English Premier League bottom three, one point adrift from 17th placed Norwich City, with 12 matches left to play this season.
And with no fixture until February 27th, which ironically comes against Allardyce’s former club West Ham United, Big Sam was delighted to use the empty week in the fixture list to bring his team to the UAE – in a visit which has turned out to be somewhat of a trademark for the 61-year-old’s football teams past and present.
“Coming here gives the lads time out to recharge the batteries, physically and mentally, in nice warm weather – and then to get back to the hard work. Hopefully it’ll give us the energy and desire to get out of the trouble we’re still in,” Allardyce told Sport360 exclusively.
“It’s about bonding now, we brought in five new players in January, they can bond better with the players who are already at the club.
“We had a fantastic result against Man United but we’re still in the bottom three and trying our very best to climb out of it.
“The lads were desperate to come away here on a high so you get that little bit more out of them. I think they’ve got that extra edge to feel good about themselves.”
#SAFC striker #Defoe did not train with rest of group today following his recent injury. No competitive action. pic.twitter.com/pmoqYu3N49
— Stuart Appleby (@Stuart_Appleby) February 18, 2016
Allardyce’s team are training at Dubai Sports City as part of a short training block, geared towards giving the squad a much-needed recovery boost for the season finale.
And the former Bolton Wanderers and Newcastle United manager was again typically impressed by the facilities his players are using and what the city has to offer.
“I feel at home in Dubai because I’ve been coming here since 2000 and seen this city grow into what it is today.
“It’s a terrific place, not just for a holiday for the players, their wives and children, but for the warm weather training it’s the best venue to come and get that recuperation time and feel regenerated for the big push at the end of the season.”
