Cherries: Demouge shocked by intensity of training (From Bournemouth Echo)

Cherries: Demouge shocked by intensity of training

7:00am Tuesday 24th July 2012 in Cherries News By Neil Perrett

Cherries ’ marquee signing Frank Demouge has admitted the high intensity of pre-season training in England caught him off guard.

The big Dutchman had plied his trade exclusively in Holland until joining Cherries on a two-year deal from FC Utrecht earlier this month.

Demouge linked up with Paul Groves’s squad for the start of pre-season a fortnight ago and has made no secret of the fact he has found the schedule punishing.

The 6ft 3ins striker, who is currently in Spain on Cherries’ training camp in San Roque, sat out Cherries’ 13-0 victory in their opening friendly against New Milton five days ago.

Demouge told the Daily Echo: “It is a lot different to Holland and everything is new to me so I have to find my way.

“Training is a lot more physical and there is more running than in Holland. It is much harder because most of the time we are training twice a day whereas, in Holland, you only had one session.

“The guys here are used to it because they do it every year. I am not used to it and this is the first time in my life I have done it. My body isn’t used to it and I am feeling it in my legs.

“But, as there are so many games in England, it is good to be strong. I was a little surprised because the level was higher than I was expecting, especially in physical terms.”

Demouge, who is expected to feature when Cherries visit Poole Town on Friday (7.45pm), added: “The New Milton game was perfect for a striker. But practice games don’t really say anything. You can win every game in pre-season but, if you lose your first league game, everybody forgets. Practice games are for training and getting match fitness.”