BOARD STUPID; EXCLUSIVE Saddlers trio turn tail at prospect of taking high dive.Byline: BY MAT KENDRICK SADDLERS skipper Stephen Hughes Stephen Hughes is the name of:
Jimmy Mullen's squad took time out from their Essington training base to make a splash at a local swimming baths swimming baths npl (Brit) → piscine f swimming baths swim (Brit) npl → Schwimmbad nt swimming baths npl as part of a rest and recovery programme. The players ended the session by jumping off a 7.5ft diving board - but some of Hughes' team-mates were worse divers than Cristiano Ronaldo <noinclude></noinclude>
"We went to the local swimming pool and there's a diving board that's seven and a half metres," said Hughes. Nerve-racking "We did a recovery session and we all had to jump off it. It doesn't seem that high when you talk about it but when you're actually there it's quite nerveracking. "I think swimming lasted for about 45 minutes, but it seemed like another few hours waiting for some of the lads to jump off it. "It wasn't an act of initiation or anything like that. It was just off the cuff really. "It was the first time we'd been swimming and we went there for a reason to get off our feet and do a bit a of recovery." Hughes, whose leadership on the pitch has lifted Walsall towards the top of the table, admits he enjoyed the banter at the baths. And the former Arsenal, Everton and Coventry midfielder has lifted the lid on the trio of players who refused to dive. "There were a few up there that were debating it for a little while and there were a few that just walked right to the end and jumped off like it wasn't a problem at all," he said. "I think three bottled it in the end and didn't do it and all the rest of us did. Those three came in for a bit of stick. "Can I reveal the ones who wimped out? Of course I can, yeah! It was Michael Ricketts Michael Ricketts (born December 4, 1978 in Birmingham, England) is an English football player. He plays as a striker. He has been capped once by England. Ricketts is currently playing for Oldham Athletic. Ricketts began his career at Walsall, for whom he signed in 1996. , Jabo Ibehre Jabo Ibehre (born January 28, 1983 in Islington, England) is a football (soccer) striker currently playing for Leyton Orient F.C. in the English third division, Football League One. Ibehre signed for Orient in March 2000, having previously been a trainee at the club. and Chris Palmer. They give it the big one, but they couldn't do it! "They were up there eyeing it up for about 20 minutes, but we just wanted to go home. It was getting a bit tedious after a while, but they walked back down the stairs Adv. 1. down the stairs - on a floor below; "the tenants live downstairs" downstairs, on a lower floor, below at the end." Walsall fans were worried when chairman Jeff Bonser took the plunge and threw caretaker boss Mullen in at the deep end by making him the permanent manager in the summer. It was sink or swim time and Hughes is pleased with the way Saddlers have since joined the League One pacesetters. "I don't think we have exceeded expectations," he said. "I think we've shown good spirit in games when we've been under the cosh for periods of time. "We've been strong and held out when we've been under pressure and that's really pleasing to see. We're looking to win every game we go into. "There was a new manager in the summer and a number of new players coming in but we've all adapted reallyquickly and I think that's shown on the pitch. "Let's hope we can continue and make the play-offs. We're only a small squad and we need a bit of luck. "We've got to cope with the expectation. It's a different type of pressure and it's something we've got to adjust to. It means we're doing things right." Wearing the Saddlers skipper's armband arm·band n. A band worn around the upper arm, often as identification or as a symbol of mourning or protest. Noun 1. armband - worn around arm as identification or to indicate mourning is a big honour for Hughes. "Of course it's an honour, I'm still proud to be a captain of any team, especially here," he added. "They're a great set of lads and it's great to lead them out on a Saturday afternoon. But the main thing is the football and we're on a good run. "I don't get to choose the music in the dressing room or anything like that because I'm captain though. Michael Ricketts bullies his way in there and Ishmel Demontagnac. "I don't even know what it is they play to be honest. All I know is it's loud." mat.kendrick@sundaymercury.net CAPTION(S): BELLY FLOPS: Walsall skipper Stephen Hughes named and shamed (inset from left) Michael Ricketts, Jabo Ibehre and Chris Palmer |
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