Powell: “Portugal Trip Was Very Beneficial”

Chris Powell believes Derby County’s week-long pre-season tour of Portugal was a success.

Derby’s first team, under 23 and under 18 squads all spent a week in the Algarve preparing for their respective upcoming 2016/17 seasons, before returning to the UK on Wednesday.

Powell, Derby’s assistant manager, says the trip abroad provided the perfect opportunity for the coaching staff to learn more about the squad, both on and off the pitch.

The former Rams defender, who joined Pearson’s backroom staff following his appointment as the club’s new manager at the end of May, says the staff were delighted with the application of the players in the soaring Portuguese heat.

Looking back on the trip, Powell told Rams Player HD: “It was a really beneficial trip for everyone. The accommodation and facilities were first class and we were very well looked after.

“Of course, Nigel(Pearson), myself and Inigo (Idiakez), got to know the players, their traits and had the opportunity to train together every day for a week.

“We took it seriously. We know it’s about the players, always, but it was important for the staff as well to build new relationships. I am sure over the next ten months we can look back and say this was a good trip.

“In the heat, it was very hard but the boys applied themselves very well and they did all the work we laid out at a hundred per cent, and even more if that is possible.”

He added: “There were a lot of positive elements to the trip – and the training days were very, very good for us.”

Derby competed in the Algarve Football Cup during their time in Portugal, with a combination of the under 23s and under 18s facing Vitoria Setubal and the first-team taking on Portuguese giants Benfica.

Looking back on the Benfica game, which ended in a 4-0 loss, Powell was keen to grasp onto as many positives as possible.

The game was Derby’s first of pre-season and, minus a number of players, fielded two separate teams to spread the minutes across the squad.

Facing a top quality opponent, Powell is keen for the Rams to use the experience as a learning one.

“I know it’s only pre-season but winning breeds confidence no matter who the opposition are,”said Powell.

“We aren’t going to get carried away with the result and, over the years, I have known there’s always something positive to take away from every game.

“There’s always something you see as a coach, manager and player where you can improve as an individual, a unit, a team or even as a squad – and that’s where we’re at.

“We had a tough evening. We were missing a number of senior players, who were starring in the Euros, so we had a few Under 23s players and a first-year scholar in the group which is a lift for the Academy.”