Tony Pulis explains what Spurs can gain from their Spain getaway and how old-school managers built togetherness a very different way.
Tottenham have packed their bags for a team-bonding trip to Spain, and veteran manager Tony Pulis reckons the benefits can go well beyond a change of scenery. Away from the training pitch and the weekly grind, a group of players gets the chance to reset, reconnect and become a tighter unit.
Pulis knows how much the approach has changed. In his playing and early managerial days, British squads bonded in far more basic ways. A few beers, a day out on Blackpool beach and plenty of banter were the main tools for building team spirit, and the dressing room was often forged through nights out rather than structured itineraries.
The modern game asks for something different. Squads are bigger, more international and more carefully managed, so a trip like Spurs' is about more than letting off steam. It gives players from different countries and backgrounds time to understand each other, share downtime and build the trust that shows up when a match gets tight.
The contrast says plenty about how football culture has moved on. The aim is the same as it was in Pulis's day: a group that fights for each other. The route is now a carefully planned trip abroad rather than a seaside afternoon and a few pints. Whether it pays off for Spurs will show up in how they perform when the games come thick and fast.
