Derby County: Sun makes a welcome appearance as Rams 'enjoy' a dip in the sea

IT has rained for much of the time during Derby County's tour of the south west but the sun made a timely and welcome appearance when the squad trained on the beach yesterday.

The window wipers of the team coach were on full speed as it departed the Rams' base in St Mellion and made its way to Portwrinkle, a lovely little isolated cove in Cornwall.

But as the sun came out, the rain jackets came off and the players started their work on the sand.

It was only a light session the morning after the goalless draw against Torquay United but still hard work on the legs as the players, split into three groups, went through their shuttles.

And there was genuine competition.

No-one wanted to lose and pay the forfeit – a dip in the icy cold sea.

The first group to lose included Miles Addison, Giles Barnes, Lee Croft and Steve Davies, and they looked less than keen when coach Gary Crosby pointed to the sea with the instruction: "In you go."

Their team-mates found it most amusing and the desire not to lose the shuttle increased.

When the session was over, Crosby pointed to the sea again and this time all the players had to go in.

"Only up to your waist," was the instruction.

Robbie Savage appeared not to hear and just dived in.

Others soon followed – Jay McEveley, Shaun Barker, Paul Connolly to name a few – while some made sure it was waist height and waist height only.

When Crosby called time for the players to come out, there were quite a few enjoying themselves so much that they wanted to stay in.

Finally, they emerged with Paul Green and Gary Teale the last out.

"Did you not fancy that, Steve?" Greenie asked.

"I thought I'd give it a miss," I replied without hestitation.

New signing Barker thought it wasn't too bad.

"When you've been in the sea at Blackpool, that was not too cold," said the former Blackpool defender.

Young midfielder Ben Pringle said similar about his experiences of the sea at Whitley Bay.

Like Wednesday's outing to the Adventure Centre, there was a purpose to the latest training session.

Nigel Clough does not like the manufactured term "team-bonding" but the manager can sense a good cameraderie among the players.

"It is not something you can force the issue with – either the lads get on or they don't – but the group seems to be OK at the moment," he said.

"It will make a difference when things aren't going so well on the field. That sort of thing can carry you through when you are having a bad time.

"We still have to improve and get better in terms of our performances but the cameraderie side of it will hopefully help us along the way.

"When some players are frightened of going in the water or climbing heights, and you see the other lads encouraging them and congratulating them when they have done it, that's a good sign.

"Even little things like that will help us."