The Hornets had friendlier conditions to deal with on day four of their pre-season camp in Austria, but that didn’t stop them from getting wet, as they enjoyed white water rafting and other activities in the municipality of Scheffau am Wilden Kaiser.
Joined by Yaser Asprilla in the morning, the Colombian went around the dining room during breakfast, introducing himself to players, coaches and staff before training for the first time as a Watford player.
The squad split into small groups for drills in their morning session on a new pitch following the heavy rainfall the day before.
Joseph Hungbo has trained with the squad, having spent last season on loan at Ross County in the Scottish Premiership. The winger is excited about the season ahead, and has enjoyed pre-season so far, despite mixed weather conditions..
“It’s been tough!” Hungbo laughed. “We’ve come into the new season off the back of disappointment last season and we need to improve, so going away all together, building character and togetherness as well as getting everything right on the pitch, it’s what we need, and it’s been good.
“We had sunshine for the first two days and then a bit of rain from there onwards but you’ve got to adapt to what you’re given. Mother Nature wasn’t nice to us but it’s all about our conditioning and getting ready for the season so the weather doesn’t matter too much.”
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Learning under Rob Edwards and adapting to the new Head Coach’s style of play is a challenge relished by the 22-year-old. Gaining experience out on loan last term, he is confident he can establish himself in the first-team squad for the upcoming campaign.
“He [Edwards] wants us to play to a certain structure, but within that structure he wants us to express ourselves,” Hungbo explained. “It’s been what we needed, and for myself, I feel great. I’m going to keep on working and it’s been a great experience, but tough as well.
“It’s made me understand that I’ve got a point to prove. I had a good season but that’s done now and no-one’s talking about that. I’m focused on what I and the team are going to do this season so I feel it’s been good for my confidence but at the same time, I’ve got to get better.
“I don’t really set targets, I play my game. I enjoy my football, and as long as I do that nothing can stop me. Setting targets only puts pressure on myself and I don’t want to do that, I just want to make sure every time I step onto the pitch I enjoy my football and work hard for the team.”
Hungbo was among the first group to take the plunge in the local river, as the squad gave white water rafting a try in the afternoon. An hour-and-a-half in the water, as well as carrying the large rafts to and from the location, added to the team bonding exercises that have taken place during the pre-season retreat, with smiles on every face at the end of a busy afternoon.
A meal in the mountains was a reward for their hard work during the week, alongside a music performance to close out the evening, providing a break from the initiation songs that had taken place on the first three days of the trip.
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