Peter Gilham's Portugal Diary: Double sessions, downtime and Brentford's history | OneFootball

My first full day in Portugal (Sunday) proved to be somewhat of a heavy double session - not specifically for me though!

It started with an early morning dip in the sea. Now in truth that’s not the way I normally start the day, but it was far preferable to my regular catching of the 111 bus to Jersey Road.

It also had more appeal than the proverbial ice bath that sports folk swear by (literally as well as vocally). It was early (6.50am), and it was cold, but it really was the perfect way to start the day!

Following breakfast back at the hotel, it was on to the staff coach at 8.15am for the comparatively short journey to the training ground.

Upon arrival everyone (medical, analysts, strength and conditioning staff), went off in varying directions to organise everything in preparation for the arrival of the players.

Prior to that, the kit department staff had arrived and, following a meeting with the coaching staff, set about laying out the specific areas required for the sessions.

Finally, the players arrived, by which time everything had been meticulously set out for their varying needs, each player having their own way of going about things quietly, or in some cases not so quietly.

Come 10am, with the clouds dissipating and the sun getting ever warmer, it was time for the coaches and players meeting during which the plans were explained for the day ahead. This was preceded by a debrief on the previous day’s training.

This was followed by a period of mobility for the players in preparation for the training sessions that lay ahead of them.

At 11am the real action started. Following loosening-up runs, the players were split into two groups under the direction and watchful eye of the coaches, and football was the byword.

Then around 12 noon it was time for three matches, each of which lasted about 12 minutes, to put into practice what the coaches had been drilling into them previously.

At this point the word synchronicity came to my mind as that, for me, summed up the way everybody came together. So many ideas from people experienced at different levels in the game, no doubt with differing philosophies, but coming together as if by magic.

The levels of performance from coaches and players alike were of the highest level. So never doubt the ability, stamina and sheer hard work that these players put into their endeavours to perform regularly at the highest level.

It was then time for lunch in the restaurant, which was festooned with bang up-to-date visuals of the current squad. Following lunch, the players had the opportunity to use day rooms to relax prior to the gym work they would be doing later in the afternoon.

The gym work, which started around 4pm, was understandably outdoors in this heat and consisted of exercise bikes, weights, three-sided football tennis and, for some, running with breaks intermittently between hard and easy running (if there is such a thing).

In the breaks between any of these sessions the players enjoyed basketball (not the full game, just the interesting bit at the end when you shot the basketball through the hoop) and what I consider to be a brilliant spectator sport… Teqball.

Teqball is a sport played on a curved table that combines elements of football and table tennis, where players hit a ball using any part of the body except hands and arms. I literally stood in awe watching the players, and some staff, putting long rallies together.

The coaches' coach back to the hotel left at 6pm, which meant a quick turnaround for dinner at 6.30pm and something different for later in the evening.

At 7.30pm all players and staff were back on the coaches and heading off for ‘O Forte - Guincho Secret Spot’!

Searching the internet for more information about ‘O Forte…’ was of little help, although I can tell you that it is, in fact, an old fortress which dates back to 1762 and was built to protect the beach during ‘The Fantastic War’ (which was part of the Seven Years’ War) between Portugal and Spain.

It has since been updated and has become the most emblematic event space on the Cascais-Lisbon coast.

The setting was incredible and the reason we were there was to watch the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina (which at times may have been a war but was certainly not fantastic).

As time wore on in the match it seemed like the whole room was full of those cheering for the eventual world champions. Two of those present, goalkeeping coach Manu Sotelo and senior chef de partie David Doldan, looked particularly pleased for obvious reasons.

Monday was a chance for everyone, should they so wish, to have a lie in following the exertions of the previous day. It was a day when everyone had an opportunity to choose one of three options: golf, fishing or time for themselves.

What was evident when we all met up again in the evening for dinner was that, whatever the choice, it had been the perfect option following the exertions of the previous day.

My choice was to go fishing together with Yunus, Yarmo, Kaye, Jannik and master fisherman Michael Kayode, together with five members of staff.

I say master fisherman as it seemed as if every time he cast his line, a fish duly appeared. I put it down to his magnetism (or some sort of magnet!). Amazingly I managed to catch one fish in two hours!

After dinner I was given the opportunity to give my presentation on the history and heritage of our very special club. Keith is a great believer that everyone, players and staff alike, "sign up" to who we are and understand the important part supporters have played in the continuance of our club.

I returned to Blighty after my all-too-short stay in Portugal on Tuesday. As I was preparing to leave, another double session was in store for the players but the impression I got from my special time with them was that they were, to a man, totally supportive and gave 100 per cent effort to everything they were asked to do.

Those three days spent amid this important time in the football calendar were enough to reinforce my belief that we have the very best of both staff and players to do ourselves proud, yet again, in the forthcoming Premier League campaign. Bring it on!