CF Montreal Training Camp, “Never a Dull Moment...”

Both Luis Binks and Kamal Miller spoke of intensity and a sense of continuity around the early weeks of pre-season camp.

Miller talked of the ‘energy and hunger’ of the younger academy players and how that has upped the ante for some of the older lads. “The intensity is high and everyone is completely dead after training as if we’ve just played a game, so the young boys are really pushing the level.

“Really there’s never been a dull moment so far. Everything has been high tempo, everyone is hungry and ready to get going.”

Both players talked about Wilfried Nancy’s appointment and alluded to the squad’s feel-good factor in the wake of the announcement.

Said Miller, “Reaction of the group overall was very positive and happy. Seemed to feel like a natural transition for most of the players. Everyone is comfortable around Wil, so we don’t have to go through a period of getting to know a new manager. So everyone, especially the guys who know him well are pretty happy about it.”

CF Montreal Media

Luis Binks agreed the decision made a lot of sense. “It’s a good appointment in my opinion. He’s knows everyone within the group, all the staff, the new signings, been part of what we built last year, so yeah, I’m all for the move.”

Binks, only back in Montreal camp for the past two days, also explained how most of the training sessions and coaching have been similar to that experienced under Thierry Henry.
“There’s still an understanding of what we built last season that we take into 2021. It would have been silly to go away from what we learned under Thierry to go into another style of play. It makes sense to keep the same style.”

The former Tottenham starlet also managed to get across to his parent club, Bologna, while he was home during the off-season, although things didn’t quite go exactly as planned.

After flying to Italy at the start of January and undertaking the obligatory period of quarantine, Binks contacted Covid.

“So it was a bit chaotic at the start, but then I did ten days with the fitness coach, just to get back up to speed. Then a week with the first-team, and obviously had to come back [to Montreal] as pre-season was starting.

“It was good for me to go. Now I’ve got to grips with what the level’s like over there. I’ve got my face seen and trained under the manager.

“Wasn’t there for as long as I wanted but I got to grips with how things work, so hopefully that can benefit me.”

Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Kamal Miller is likely to be away with the Canadian national team at the end of the month for two must-win World Cup qualifiers scheduled for Orlando (v Bermuda) and Bradenton (v Cayman Islands). It promises to be an exciting season for anyone on the national team program and Miller feels that qualification for Qatar 2022 is a real possibility.

“We have the players to do it, but it's about going out and actually doing it. We must really stay focused during this troubled time with Covid, but there is good belief within the squad and I think chances are realistic.”




Check out the latest The Ball Is Round Podcast (Episode 18). Recorded last Wednesday evening the TBIR team discuss the general state of CF Montreal in the wake of Thierry Henry’s departure and recent Re-branding/Renaming...

Every Week - The Ball Is Round...
@TBIRMontreal - please follow us for regular, weekly CF Montreal, Canadian, MLS and international content in English!