Slovenia - Dobrodosli iz Slovenije

DOBRODOSLI iz Slovenije. Or 'welcome from Slovenia' if you prefer.

The Birmingham Mail rolled into the Grand Hotel Primus this afternoon but it was more like a scene from Moscow, with the four-star hotel over-run with swimmers.

It seems the luxury hotel is not only being used by Albion but the Russian Swimming team, with the Azerbaijan football side only checking out a few days ago.

They all look so stern and intense. Surely swimming can't be that bad?

Elsewhere, rock music was on the agenda down the the training ground, a small venue curiously named after 'aluminium', with Craig Beattie revealing a little too much about his ipod tastes.

During shooting practice one of Beattie's shots had a wayward swing to it.

But, luckily for him, long-haired Birmingham Mail snapper Tim Easthope was on hand to block the ball.

'Nice one Meatloaf', said Beats - completely unaware that our Tim fancies himself more of a David Ginola lookalike. Even so, taking an insult from the Scotland striker was better than taking one in the face from a skiewed volley.

It was a tough session with temperatures soaring into the mid-30s and staying there for most of the afternoon. It should get hotter later this week.

Early start tomorrow. The intense heat means 9am fitness training, following a late session concentrated around ball work.

Assistant boss Eddie Newton told the Albion players to ease up earlier on following an intense 90-minute session as they prepared to play a practice match.

But that didn't stop a certain player grabbing Roberto Di Matteo's shirt and trying to wrestle the Italian to the ground, not realising it was the Baggies gaffer shielding the ball.

First rule of football - never upset your new boss.

Don't be surprised to see poor Kim Do-heon marginalised for a while after that schoolboy error...or at least made to run several laps of the field next time they train.

In this heat, I'd rather be dropped personally.