Walsall's luxurious Polish pre-season perfect preparation for the season ahead

It’s a luxury Walsall players haven’t enjoyed all that often in recent times.

But the Darrell Clarke revolution is moving forward at a rapid pace at the Banks’s Stadium.

And this pre-season trip to Poland is another big part of his master plan to build a side that will challenge at the top end of League Two next season.

First and foremost, the players are working hard. Very hard.

The general consensus seems to be pre-season this year is a lot tougher than it was 12 months ago.

But Clarke knows you don’t build a successful team through hard work alone.

With so many new arrivals this summer, the players have to have time together to bond.

A strong team spirit needs to be in place before the campaign gets under way next month.

And Walsall’s base – at the impressive Hotel Remes in Opalenica – is the ideal place to mix work with a bit of play.

During the Saddlers’ stay, there were two other professional teams also basing themselves at the hotel.

One was the academy side of German outfit Wolfsburg.

And they stayed there because everything they needed was on site.

Hotel Remes has a number of state-of-the-art training pitches.

It is the base Portugal trained at ahead of the European Championships in 2012.

But it also had everything the Saddlers needed so they could rest and recover properly – whether that be after intense double training sessions or the match they enjoyed against Odra Opole.

Away from the football, the players also had everything they needed to ensure they got to know each other ahead of the new campaign.

Managers like to get away because it means the group can spend time together day and night.

It’s not just a case of training and going home.

And at their Hotel Remes base, the players had the luxury of being able to play golf, tennis or go bowling.

They also enjoyed some excellent food and a barbecue on Tuesday night.

Throughout the entire trip, though, there was a running theme which stems from Clarke.

While the boss has been impressed with his players’ attitude and work-rate throughout pre-season and during their time away, he knows it counts for nothing if he doesn’t build a successful side.

Clarke wants to win. He is results driven. And he knows a pre-season trip is simply a platform to help him achieve his goals.

“It takes time to build the spirit you need to bring success to a club,” the boss said.

“It doesn’t happen overnight, it doesn’t happen in just four or five days in Poland, it’s something we need to build on through the pre-season and through the rest of the season.

“No club has success if you haven’t got spirit.”

Poland has helped in what has been a huge summer for the Saddlers.

And it’s clear the players are bonding and enjoying playing for their new manager.

There is no doubt, though, the main focus is Northampton and the season getting started on August 3.