Well, where do I start?…I arrived back from Dubai yesterday with the lads, and words can’t really describe the 12 days experience that each one of us had.

The last time I wrote, I mentioned the tough fixture we had coming up against Norwich City. They did indeed prove to be tough visitors, but a visit that all of the lads were capable of handling because we ended up winning the game 2-1 with a real strong and steady performance

After the Youth Cup game against Everton I was told by the Development Squad Manager, Curtis Fleming, that I would be training with him and the first team everyday and not with the youth team anymore.

When I last wrote the weather wasn’t the best, which caused us to carry out a lot of training indoors. The game vs Bristol City was called off for obvious reasons, with the snow causing problems up and down the country.

Our form after the Christmas break hasn’t been great. We’ve hit a bad run, that began with a 3-2 defeat away at Leicester City, although we did well to fight back from 3-0 down.

Since my last blog I have been involved with the first team and reserves a lot more.

I hope you all had a nice Christmas and a very Happy New Year, but now it’s back to business for us at the training ground and the mice pies have to be put away for another year!

It’s been a little while since I updated the blog, so though it was time to bring you up-to-speed on events that have been taking place since the last instalment.

At last I am now back in full training and since my last blog I have played five games including two for the reserves. It is such a relief waking up everyday knowing that I am going to train or play and not having to go to the gym.

Day 3 was matchday, so with the game scheduled for the evening there was no early run.

Run, run, run.

Overall our experience so far in Spain has taught us a lot about the Spanish culture and the difference in the way football is played abroard.

I have still not returned to training since my last blog.

It has been a while since I last wrote and therefore quite alot has happened in and around the training ground.

Friday was to host out final game in Holland.

It was the day of the final and the lads were in great spirits ahead of the game and were full of confidence.

Having had a relaxing Tuesday in the city of Arnhem, it was back to work on Wednesday with a match against a local amateur side called SVV Youth.

We were up at the usual time for breakfast as we fuelled up for the morning session ahead.

After a light session yesterday it was an early start again for breakfast.

On Sunday we arrived in Papendal at the National Olympic Hotel and the facilities have been excellent.

After travelling from Utrecht to the Papendal and settling in on the Sunday, it was back to work on Monday morning to prepare for our second group game of the tournament against Wycombe.

Since my last blog, our team has moved hotels.

Once again after a reasonably light day on Thursday it was back to work this morning.

After a fantastic first week in Rotterdam, we are now looking forward to week two at the Papendal!

After the Second Years’ epic bowling performance on Thursday night, we started to concentrate on the match we had coming up on the Friday night.