Sport · Swindon
Gus Poyet recalls 'army film' training and Ibiza rules during Swindon Town tenure
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Former assistant manager Gus Poyet reflects on the high standards and dramatic turnaround he and Dennis Wise brought to Swindon Town during their 2006 spell.
Gus Poyet has opened up about the intense professional standards he and Dennis Wise established during their time at Swindon Town, describing a period of radical change that produced one of the most successful starts to a season in the club's history.
Wise and Poyet arrived at the County Ground in 2006 following a difficult period for the club, including a relegation to League Two. Their partnership, which began through shared history at Chelsea, saw the pair immediately prioritise a shift in culture, fitness and discipline.
Reflecting on that period, Poyet recalled a challenging pre-season trip to Ibiza, where the management team sought to balance team bonding with a strict professional code. While the setting was unconventional for a pre-season camp, the message to the players was clear. 'Dennis made the rules very clear, and I was looking at the players, and I could see in their faces that they knew it was going to be non-negotiable,' said Poyet. 'First, we played the games, and then you can have a night out if you want to. But first, football.'
The duo faced constraints regarding infrastructure and technology, requiring them to employ inventive solutions to get the squad match-fit. Poyet described training sessions that focused on precision using rudimentary equipment. 'We did not have the technology and the equipment that clubs have nowadays, so there were some exercises that we did on wooden benches and we used tyres from trucks,' he said. 'It was a little bit like being in army films, but the players loved it and really embraced the precision of it.'
The intensity of their approach, which involved consultation with fitness experts like Rui Pinto, was tested immediately. The side responded with a remarkable run of six consecutive wins to start the campaign, a feat that had not been matched at the club for 60 years. This success included a debut to remember for goalkeeper Peter Brezovan, who saved two penalties in a victory away at Hartlepool United.
For Poyet, the experience was also a personal transition. Living in the town centre while his family remained in the south of England, he quickly grew to appreciate the local area, though he jokingly noted the notorious complexity of the town's traffic system. 'Living was very simple, other than going through the super, incredible, unique, fantastic nightmare that it is those roundabouts next to the stadium,' he said.
The managerial tenure proved short, ending in October 2006 when the pair departed for Leeds United. Despite the brevity of their time in Wiltshire, Poyet retains fond memories of the progress made during those four months, particularly the growth in fan engagement. He noted that the squad started playing in front of very few supporters, but by the time they left, attendances had grown to around 10,000. 'It was so good to leave at that level,' he added.
Source: Swindon Advertiser - Lifestyle · View original