fitness level of fringe players

[NMPalace]

Whilst it was good to see Clyne and Eddie getting starts on Sunday and playing well i am concerned about general fitness levels for those not playing regularly.

Just on half time Eddie went through on the right and was too easily outmuscled by the CB. As the halftime whistle went moments later Eddie was clearly puffing quite hard and look exhausted. Second half he was less effective and was subbed after 1 hour. He mentioned post match that he was knackered.

Clyne looked fit and got forward really well but mentioned afterwards he was exhausted after 70 minutes, when he got subbed.

OG has mentioned that before Burnley they trained for 30 minutes only (on the Tuesday) and after Burnley they got 2 days off. Whilst this is sensible for those playing regularly, the fringe players surely need more.

We need players such as Clyne, Eddie, Canvot, Esse, Sosa and Uche to step up but in their defence they have barely played so might need time to adjust to the pace and intensity of games.
Surely fitness is the one thing we can make sure they have.

Do they have their own fitness programmes? OG mentioned Clyne has been kept fit with 7 or 8 aside games , but based on his comments and those of Eddie (albeit he has been injured for a bit) maybe they need more.

 

[doombear]

There is no substitute for match minutes. A player can train as much as he likes but still not be match fit hence OG's praise for Clyne who was able to last 70 minutes and play a full role in the team whilst he was on the pitch.

We have played 24 games so far this season (more than any other PL team) and a number of players have played all of them without getting injured. Players seem to get injured when they're in and out of sides (Eddie is an example and OG has said how he and his team are carefully managing Eddie's minutes). In the PL, players need regular minutes hence (IMO) Pep's and OG's desire to work with a smallish squad.

Both the fringe and regular bench players need game minutes and if they're good enough should (and I think will) get starts as the season progresses but they're unlikely to play the full 90 even then.

 

[MrRobbo]

Whilst it was good to see Clyne and Eddie getting starts on Sunday and playing well i am concerned about general fitness levels for those not playing regularly.

Just on half time Eddie went through on the right and was too easily outmuscled by the CB. As the halftime whistle went moments later Eddie was clearly puffing quite hard and look exhausted. Second half he was less effective and was subbed after 1 hour. He mentioned post match that he was knackered.

Clyne looked fit and got forward really well but mentioned afterwards he was exhausted after 70 minutes, when he got subbed.

OG has mentioned that before Burnley they trained for 30 minutes only (on the Tuesday) and after Burnley they got 2 days off. Whilst this is sensible for those playing regularly, the fringe players surely need more.

We need players such as Clyne, Eddie, Canvot, Esse, Sosa and Uche to step up but in their defence they have barely played so might need time to adjust to the pace and intensity of games.
Surely fitness is the one thing we can make sure they have.

Do they have their own fitness programmes? OG mentioned Clyne has been kept fit with 7 or 8 aside games , but based on his comments and those of Eddie (albeit he has been injured for a bit) maybe they need more.

We are a professional club, in the worlds biggest sports, in the richest league, with access to data, physios, sports scientists.

I think its fair to assume they have a plan for this.