Andrews explains key decisions behind Brentford’s Portugal pre-season camp | OneFootball

Keith Andrews believes Brentford’s pre-season training camp in Portugal has put his squad in a strong position as preparations continue for the 2026/27 Premier League campaign.

The Bees spent the week working in Portugal, with Andrews opting against scheduling a friendly during the trip to place greater emphasis on training and the physical preparation of his squad.

Speaking after the final session of the camp, the Brentford boss said he had been delighted with the intensity shown by his squad.

“It’s been very, very good,” Andrews stated. “We want to maximise every single day. How do we maximise what we have in front of us each and every single day?

“Spurs won’t be long in coming around. It feels like it’s a little bit far away at the moment, but it moves quickly.

“We have to really push ourselves, and that’s exactly what they’ve done again. They’re an amazing group to work with, and I think they look in such a good place.”

Andrews explained that the decision not to arrange a fixture in Portugal was a deliberate one, with the Bees instead focusing on a demanding programme both on the grass and in the gym.

“I wanted to really focus on training and pushing the boys hard this week,” he continued. “I think we’ve got some serious training under our belts that will hold us in good stead.

“I didn’t want the distraction of a game this week. I wanted training to be all out, under our full control in terms of what we did with them and how we pushed them every hour of the day.

“I think we’ve got the balance right between how we’ve pushed them on the grass, off the grass in the gym, and how much time they have with themselves or us as a group off the pitch.”

Andrews also believes the relative continuity within his squad has allowed Brentford to begin pre-season from a strong foundation.

There has been “minimal change” to the group this summer, while new arrivals Jannik Schuster, Jaidon Anthony and Callum Wilson have quickly settled into their new surroundings.

“We won’t sign players unless we feel they’ll fit into the fabric of the club and the culture and values that we have as a group of people working together on a daily basis,” Andrews explained.

“On that front, they’ve been amazing. And, on the football side of things, what we’ve seen is exactly what we’ve signed.”

The Bees boss also highlighted the importance of welcoming Fábio Carvalho and Antoni Milambo back into elements of first-team training following their respective long-term injuries, while Josh Dasilva has been fully involved after returning towards the end of last season.

“For those to be involved in the group has been lovely,” said Andrews.

“I love having them around. I think they’re brilliant characters for the group. They bring a certain type of energy in their own individual way, which I really appreciate.

“Fábio and Antoni have obviously been on a tough journey that can really affect you as a player because it’s taken away from you.

“It’s been brilliant to integrate them into team sessions as the week has gone on, at slightly different stages of their rehab.

“We’ll do our utmost to get them back in as safe and secure a way as we can over the coming weeks and months.”

With Brentford’s Premier League opener against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday 22 August (5.30pm kick-off, live on Sky Sports) quickly approaching, Andrews insists the focus remains on the everyday standards which will ultimately shape his side’s season.

“We’re constantly trying to move the needle in the right way in everything we do,” he added. “It’s pretty simple, really: you get better or you get beat.

“We are in a good place, but we’re striving. We’re striving hard, we’re pushing hard.

“We’ve got a group that are hungry to develop individually and be as complete a team as we can be. The first target is Spurs.”