Walsall's Lake District trip is key for bonding, says Jon Whitney

The Saddlers head to Cumbria tomorrow for a three day boot camp that will involve hill running, obstacle courses, mountain biking and a host of other fitness challenges.

And Whitney feels the trip will be crucial for fostering team spirit ahead of the upcoming season.

“I was really keen to make sure we do it this year – so I pencilled us in quite early,” the boss said.

“For me it takes the players out of their comfort zone. It’s a little bit old-school but it’s very scientific as well.

“We’ll test the players physically and psychologically, which is the important bit, and we’ll be able to get a profile of each player as well.

“For me it’ll show us who has those leadership qualities going into the new season.

“It involves tough, tough challenges - but it’s fun.

“At the end of it it really gels you together as a group and sets you up for the season ahead.”

While keen to work on fitness levels, Whitney says the main purpose of the trip is to allow the players to bond.

“The important thing is for us to realise that when it gets tough – we do things as a team,” he continued.

“There will be times when some will be struggling but your teammates can help you through it, and that’s key.

“It is individual-based but for me it’s getting that team collective - knowing that working together, you’ll achieve more than working on your own.

“That’s the key message we’re trying to send.

“The mantra where we are staying is ‘push the limits’ which is similar to us.

“We want to push the limits both within the weekend and this season.”

Whitney has bolstered his squad with four signing so far this summer with Mark Gillespie, Luke Leahy, Nicky Devlin and Jon Guthrie all arriving on two-year deals.

And the boss is delighted with how the newcomers have settled in so far.

“They’re very humble players but very hard-working and very driven,” he added.

“Everything I’ve done over pre-season they’ve done with a smile on their face. I don’t think there’s a bad word amongst them - so it’s a good group.”