PULIS: IT’S TIME TO FLY HIGH
Boro boss wants his side to keep looking up after challenges at RAF base
TONY PULIS believes Boro are ready for take-off – after taking his players on a two-day course with the RAF.
The Middlesbrough boss wanted his promotionchasing squad to reach for the sky and leave their comfort zone behind.
Boro, who have the best defence in the league, took on a series of challenges with the crews at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire.
Mobile phones were banned and mental tasks set, making them bond as a group and earn their wings.
Pulis has a habit of pulling surprises on his staff. In preseason he gathered his backroom squad one afternoon promising them a trip out for fish and chips.
The snag was they had to cycle 35 miles to the coach first.
He also took the squad to the Austrian Alps where they endured early-morning runs, swims and bike rides.
This time it was the players who got a surprise after Pulis joked they were going to a five-star hotel.
The Welshman said: “A change is as good as a rest. It wasn’t physical, it was mental. They were given problems and had to solve them.
“The RAF set them different problems to solve and from what I gather it was tough.
“It’s getting them together, taking them out of their comfort zone and trying to get them together as a group.
“Today, with that square thing everyone uses, you forget to talk to one another.
“Their phones were taken away so they had to work together as a group instead of talking on those things all the time. We make sure we gave them that rest period, it was nice to do something different.
“The RAF were fantastic, they were top drawer.”
RAF Leeming’s official Twitter account posted: “What a fabulous couple of days, hosting players and support staff from Middlesbrough Football Club.
“Aimed at honing teamwork and leadership skills. Huge thanks to everyone involved!”
Boro won 2-0 at home to Wigan just before the international break.
They head to west London today looking to consolidate their challenge for the top two in the Championship.
Brentford are struggling with only one win in their last 11 outings.
Pulis has been impressed with former England winger Stewart Downing, adding: “Stewart has been an exceptional professional footballer over the years and his attitude has been no different since I came to the football club.
“He’s had a great season so far this season, we hope he can continue to perform at that level because we’ve got a lot of games coming up.”