Bogdanovic returns home and embraces new life as a Blade

MUCH of the reasoning for England's pitiful World Cup performance centred on the players' boredom.

Playing on the grandest stage in world sport is the dream of millions of children growing up and yet the boys who wore the white and red shirts of England could not inspire themselves having spent much of their time in South Africa rattling around their luxury Rustenburg retreat.

At club level, a much shorter, five- to seven-day burst is generally perceived as ideal preparation for the rigours of a 46-game domestic season.

Injury risks are kept to a minimum and the chance to have established players mixing with new signings in an enclosed environment is seen as vital in forming team unity and spirit.

Sheffield United are a club who pride themselves on team spirit.

They are also pioneering off the pitch, with their links in China, Brazil, Hungary and Malta, the latter being their base last week for a five-day training camp aimed at forging links in the dressing room and strengthening relationships with the Maltese Tourism Authority and national government, whose support for the club has another year to run with both parties in discussions to extend the deal.

So while Trevor Birch and Kevin McCabe pressed the flesh, the players trained, competed and bonded – but there was never any question of boredom.

"It was a hard week but it was a pleasant week as well," said one of Kevin Blackwell's summer recruits Daniel Bogdanovic, who as a Malta international felt a special pull coming back to his homeland.

"A pre-season tour is about working hard, improving your fitness and mental fitness. The weather was really hot and I'm sure we'll benefit from that once we're back home.

"When you're not training, occupying yourself is not too much of a hardship. We sit by the pool, we chat, see movies, some walk around the city.

"Most of the time you're at the hotel, resting. It's about routine, it's nothing special, the only difference is we are all together under one roof.

"We had our enjoyable moments as well; we went on a boat trip, we won our pre-season tournament, so all in all, 10 out of 10 for the trip."

Bogdanovic joined on a two-year contract from South Yorkshire rivals Barnsley after scoring 14 goals for the Reds.

The team's warm-weather training on the tiny, sun-kissed island in the south Mediterranean has helped Bogdanovic and players such as Johnny Ertl gel with their new team-mates.

"All the newcomers including myself have integrated really well," said the 30-year-old. "The way the more established lads talk to us, the way they are with us, it's like we've been at this club for a long time.

"In a team especially, when there is a lot of different characters, it's important to be a part of it.

"You try to introduce yourself as a footballer, because at the end of the day we're all footballers and we're all paid to do a job and to compete.

"In this club there is a very strong group, it is a very strong dressing room. Hopefully it's going to be a successful season for us.

"From the medical staff to the players, the management to the board room, everyone has to be aiming for one single goal for the coming year, and this is what a pre-season trip helps towards."

As well as winning a triangular tournament against Hibernians and Vittoriosa Stars – two prominent teams in the country who, because of Malta's size and stature in the world game, are unlikely to ever make a mark on the continental club scene – the Blades players and staff sampled some of the rich history of the island.

Bombed relentlessly during the Second World War, Malta and the seas around it were a major battle ground for much of the war as the British navy defended their Mediterranean base and the honour of their colony.

The people of Malta were awarded the George Cross for their bravery, and although they gained independence from the commonwealth in 1964 – British forces left the island in 1979 – their culture is marbled through by their English heritage.

Despite this, the people of Malta are a proud nation, a trait embodied by a focused and conscientious Bogdanovic.

"Whenever you go back home it's a nice feeling, to see friends and family, but I've actually only seen them at the game on Friday," said Bogdanovic, who was born in Libya of Serb extraction but moved to Malta as a youngster.

"My goal was to have a good pre-season.

"I'm quite a serious person when it comes to doing my job. I'll have time to see the family when they come over to England.

"My favourite place in Malta is Gozo. It's a very quiet island, which reflects my character. Malta is more lively, but I'm a quiet person, I like to be in a relaxed atmosphere.

"There was not too much pressure on me coming back to my home country.

"My role is very important and I'll do my utmost to help young Maltese kids get the opportunity to try living and playing abroad.

"There are some talented players in this country; one of them trained with us during the week. He's only 18 but he did well. I'm trying to do the best for this country and its people because Malta did a lot for me, gave me a family, and I'm trying to repay them in the best way I can, through football."