Break's over as Pompey players return for training
As Joe Gallen had pledged, ball work was once again the dominant force during today's pre-season return.
The morning opened with Kenny Jackett addressing his squad, among them five fresh playing recruits and a new first-team coach.
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Hide AdThen, from 10.15am, it was onto the training ground turf for pitch work beneath the searing summer sun.
And following the warm-up, involving running and stretching, the Blues' squad swiftly moved onto shooting into small goals, followed by passing drills.
The session followed a similar routine to that introduced by Jackett last summer during his first day as Pompey boss on the training pitch.
In years gone by, players often never saw a ball until beyond the opening week, instead embarking on gruelling training runs.
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Hide AdYet times have changed, with Jackett's approach centring on different skill-sets.
There were 23 members of Pompey's squad present at their Copnor Road base '“ effectively all those currently contracted to the club.
The sole absentee was out-of-contract Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain, who sustained a broken leg in April and continues his recovery.
But summer recruits Ronan Curtis, Louis Dennis, Craig MacGillivray, Tom Naylor and Lee Brown were in attendance.
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Hide AdAs was Robbie Blake's replacement as first-team coach, although the club are presently keeping his identity under wraps.
And there was also the return of fit-again Danny Rose, having been sidelined since December.
It's official, the 2018-19 campaign has begun.