Peter Gilham's Portugal Diary: Home Away From Home

It's time for my annual blog (the first of two) from wherever the Bees have decided to prepare for the season ahead.

Years ago I would have been perched on one of the mounds in Richmond Park as the squad were put through their paces, shedding the additional pounds accumulated over the close season.

But times, the club's fortunes and the players' fitness have changed and for a third consecutive year, Brentford have plumped for a return to Portugal for pre-season training.