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.

 

[ASCPFC]

Our fitness has improved dramatically under Ollie. I felt we were lagging behind before. We certainly score more late goals in my opinion. I haven't looked it up.

 

[Lanzo-Ad]

I think that the old reserve fixtures a missed, a better standard than the U23s and also keeps the players on the fringe, i don't think you get a real picture of a player until you see him under match conditions, easy to tell who can perform.

 

[NMPalace]

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.

You would hope so, wouldn't you, but on the evidence of Sunday i have questioned it. Why was Eddie so knackered by half time?

You can play over age players in the U23s (e.g. Holding last year) - why not give him a game or two at this level to get sharpness and fitness back. We rarely do this.

Same with Uche - i think he played one 45 minute game for the U23s.

OG has stated he is often only having training sessions for 30 minutes between games, never a mention of more for fringe players.

 

[MrRobbo]

You would hope so, wouldn't you, but on the evidence of Sunday i have questioned it. Why was Eddie so knackered by half time?

You can play over age players in the U23s (e.g. Holding last year) - why not give him a game or two at this level to get sharpness and fitness back. We rarely do this.

Same with Uche - i think he played one 45 minute game for the U23s.

OG has stated he is often only having training sessions for 30 minutes between games, never a mention of more for fringe players.

I suspect its because he missed preseason, had a knock back in November, and this is the first league game he's started all season.

Expecting him to last 90 was always a bit of a stretch.

 

[Badger11]

You would hope so, wouldn't you, but on the evidence of Sunday i have questioned it. Why was Eddie so knackered by half time?

You can play over age players in the U23s (e.g. Holding last year) - why not give him a game or two at this level to get sharpness and fitness back. We rarely do this.

Same with Uche - i think he played one 45 minute game for the U23s.

OG has stated he is often only having training sessions for 30 minutes between games, never a mention of more for fringe players.

There is fitness and match fitness. Until they have time playing PL they are going to run out of steam. OG will need to start giving these guys more game time.

 

[Runningman]

There is fitness and match fitness. Until they have time playing PL they are going to run out of steam. OG will need to start giving these guys more game time.

Agreed.
Look at Izak at Liverpool. Still not properly match fit apparently .

 

[ASCPFC]

Agreed.
Look at Izak at Liverpool. Still not properly match fit apparently .

He's always been lazy. His previous injury was against us wasn't it? I've always thought he's one worth putting a tackle in on early on. He goes missing in physical battles. Just my reading of him from what I've seen against us. I'm probably totally unfair. His record seems to be brilliant but he's not great currently.

 

[NMPalace]

I suspect its because he missed preseason, had a knock back in November, and this is the first league game he's started all season.

Expecting him to last 90 was always a bit of a stretch.

FFS it would be nice if you actually read my post before responding. I have clearly stated it was a concern that he was knackered by half time (so 45 minutes), as he admitted afterwards.

He came back for the Wolves games , over 2 weeks ago, and played over 30 minutes in that game. Last week x Man U he came on in the 1st half so played c 60 minutes.

Therefore, i don't think it's unreasonable for his fitness to be improving week on week. Furthermore, if we wanted match fitness, as has been mentioned, why not give him a U23 games.

Let's stop making excuses, something is wrong here and the fringe players are not fit enough nor match sharp.

 

[MrRobbo]

FFS it would be nice if you actually read my post before responding. I have clearly stated it was a concern that he was knackered by half time (so 45 minutes), as he admitted afterwards.

He came back for the Wolves games , over 2 weeks ago, and played over 30 minutes in that game. Last week x Man U he came on in the 1st half so played c 60 minutes.

Therefore, i don't think it's unreasonable for his fitness to be improving week on week. Furthermore, if we wanted match fitness, as has been mentioned, why not give him a U23 games.

Let's stop making excuses, something is wrong here and the fringe players are not fit enough nor match sharp.

I did read your post. And your original post where you questioned if the players had a fitness plan. I suspect they do.

And if he looked knackered by 45, it might have been because it was a harder half than usual. Or he was really busting a gut. Who knows. He's still working his way back

 

[doombear]

Just for record there's no such thing as the U23s anymore. It's U18 sand U21s.

 

[ASCPFC]

Just for record there's no such thing as the U23s anymore. It's U18 sand U21s.

That was the point I think. That there could be a benefit to the U23/ reserve league as it's a higher standard than U21s. In their opinion.

 

[doombear]

That was the point I think. That there could be a benefit to the U23/ reserve league as it's a higher standard than U21s. In their opinion.

My point was aimed more at those who talk as if the U23 competition is what our senior Academy players are playing in.