A week into our pre-season training camp in Portugal, and the benefit of such a get together is apparent for all to see.
The camaraderie amongst the group, staff and players alike, is excellent and it really is a case of there being just one team, whether on of off the pitch. That is led by Marinus himself and he appears to have gained the respect of everybody here in his man management skills and demeanour.
At breakfast, lunch or dinner, we all start to eat at the same time once he knows that everyone is in attendance.
He is very much a hands on Head Coach and very much involved in the day to day training.
Today after breakfast, it was screening time. This is when the different departments who together form the excellent back up team check on the players progress, health and fitness.
The squad are split up into three groups who then go through the half hourly processes of Physical screening, Sports science screening and a Training programme. Thereafter for thirty minutes or so before we set off for the training pitch, it's time for a Recovery programme and medicals. This is all part of the meticulous work undertaken by the excellent Medical and Sports Science department who play such a crucial role in ensuring that each player is up to the challenge put in front of them, and certainly primed to as near their peak condition as possible.
Then at the training pitch, the players are put through the mandatory warm up sessions before coming under the wing of the newly formed coaching team comprising, Marinus, Roy Hendriksen, Flemming Pedersen, Gianni Vio, Tom Bates and two who've been around a bit - Simon Royce who begins his sixth season as the goalkeeping coach - and Kevin O'Connor who is now entering his 21st year as a Bee.
The training concludes with a gym session pitch side, under the guidance of Tom Perryman, whilst on arrival back at the hotel some of the players have the opportunity of an ice bath.
Lunch is then at 2pm with the players able to enjoy a couple of hours free time, which for a number meant they were able to watch the Wimbledon Men's Singles Final.
Come dinner time, and we had the excitement of the sing Off to look forward to.
This evening you may remember we welcomed back "on stage" the bottom three from Wednesday night together with newcomers Andreas Bjellend and Josh McEachran.
First up was Piet Cremers who did a version of "You'll Never Walk Alone" like you've never heard before - and I mean like you've never hear before. Then it was Flemming Pedersen who decided upon Depeche Mode's hit from the early 1980s "Just Cant Get Enough". After a short while the audience made it known that while that may have been the case for him they had certainly had enough. Last of the also rans was my work buddy Paul Williams who sung the classic "New York, New York" in his own inimitable style. At least I think that's the word.
Now it was the turn of the newcomers. Josh took to the chair, which is where everybody has to perch to introduce themselves before launching into their chosen platter. His choice was the same as Akaki "Andy" Gogia's four days earlier, Ben E King's "Stand By Me". Josh's was certainly a different cover and also, in truth, lacked the dance moves that Andy had injected into his routine on Wednesday. Thinking about it a few dance moves may have helped Josh.
After what had seemed hours, it was finally the time to welcome Andreas to the stage (chair). He introduced himself in time honoured fashion and then proceeded to sing "der er et yndigt land" which to those who may not be clued up on the Danish language is their National Anthem. I have to say it took everybody by surprise as no one stood up as you normally do for National Anthems, not even fellow countryman Flemming.
So now came the time to decide the winner, although this was definitely a case of it's not about the winning, it's more about the taking part, as there were definitely no winners. But the audience had decided and Flemming took the accolades.
And that was the end of our Sunday Night entertainment. But the prospect of still more visitors to arrive and therefore more such performances as we had endured tonight, was enough to send everybody off and ready for a good nights sleep.
And so to bed.
Peter Gilham.