Wanderer's talented trio of goalkeepers, Jussi Jasskelainen, Steve Banks and Matt Glennon face a rigorous training session every day with goalkeeping coach Fred Barber. American goalie Nick Pasquarello and GORDON SHARROCK went along to a 'light' Friday morning session to find out more... NICK Pasquarello puffed, panted, and was clearly struggling to get his breath back. Sweat dripped off him by the bucketload.
At least he wasn't throwing up, like he did on a previous occasion!
The American had just come through one of Fred Barber's training sessions. Not the full deal, just the shortened version reserved for Friday mornings before a match day.
In fairness to the 'guest' at the Indianapolis training camp, Jussi Jaaskelainen, Steve Banks and Matty Glennon were also feeling the strain. That's what life's like when you work with the Wanderers' goalkeeping coach but the Reebok trio wouldn't have it any other way. Barber is rated as one of the best, if not THE best, in the business.
"It's an honour and a privilege for me to be working with these guys," Pasquarello wheezed as he finally regained the power of speech.
"I have to admit I was a little intimidated when I first started but now I'm getting the hang of things.
"I hear stories about English teams being the best in the world but I never realised how intense their training sessions were. Your concentration levels have to be 100 per cent for two solid hours.
"The sessions are so detail orientated. Fred focuses on the little things and, if you don't get them right, you do them over and over again until you do."
This isn't just an enthusiastic amateur having his eyes opened by the professionals. Pasquarello has played pro with Minnesota Thunder in the A-League and has been on standby for Major League Soccer clubs LA Galaxy and the Dallas Burn. Before Wanderers left the States, he'd signed a contract with Atlanta.
But he has never had to work as hard as he has done since finding out Wanderers were in town and landing an invitation from Fred to join the sessions.
"I want to learn and this has been an experience of a lifetime for me," he said with genuine appreciation.
"I just couldn't pass up on the opportunity and I'll be forever grateful to Fred for allowing me to take part."
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