After the pleasure, comes the pain.

Oxford United’s players enjoyed some downtime in the middle of the week, but yesterday they went through the most gruelling day of training on the trip.

A double session in 32-degree heat U’s squad feel the heat as training sessions intensify should ensure they slept soundly.

Although it was draining, there was a noticeable increase in intensity.

Slide tackles were flying in and whereas a misplaced pass on Monday might have gone unnoticed, now it gets a few choice words from teammates.

Danny Hylton even shot an accusing look at a cone after it tripped him up.

 

It’s the sign of a squad gradually going through the gears towards a new season.

They will fly home this evening a sharper, tighter unit than the group which met up at Heathrow on Sunday.

On top of all the benefits gained from the interaction with supporters earlier this week, it’s fair to say the week has gone to plan.

But before the players pat themselves on the back for a job well done, they have one final training session and, with two-and-a-half days off ahead of them, apparently it’s going to be a tough one.

Michael Appleton had a glint in his eye when he told me that yesterday.

Rather them than me.