Fringe Player Fitness / Sharpness (4 Viewers)

[Nick]

Why are our players on the bench so unfit?

I can understand that players have injuries but it's a little bit worrying that they don't even seem to be really getting gametime in the U23. Ogogo and Kelly could do with stepping up to the plate, so why aren't they getting loads of time in the reserves and behind closed door games?

Andreu just doesn't seem to have any sort of fitness so to expect him to step in and do much isn't going to happen. Something is seriously wrong there, I know he's been out injured but his general fitness levels are really bad.

How are Kelly and Ogogo going to get up to speed to be able to step in by sitting on the bench and watching? Then they come on and are miles off the pace and it costs us in first team games.

We put Jones on last night, clearly nowhere near fitness and not really going to change games as he was blowing out of his arse after 5 minutes. I'd much rather have preferred throwing Walters or Allisanni in for the difference that Jones made as at least they could have been a nuisance.

This was the lineup the last U23 game



I know it isn't the same as first team football, but why no Kelly / Ogogo? Why no Bakayoko / Hiwula? At least give them 45 minutes if they are sat on the bench watching for first team games. Hiwula didn't even make the squad for Sunderland but then is the player to come on in the next game.

 

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[stevefloyd]

Allesani isnt even with us atm

 

[Nick]

Allesani isnt even with us atm

I know he isn't, it was just an example of other players who would have been able to done more than Jones.

Not really Jones fault, the expectation of him is massive.

He's miles away from where he needs to be.

 

[Sky Blue Harry H]

How are Kelly and Ogogo going to get up to speed to be able to step in by sitting on the bench and watching? Then they come on and are miles off the pace and it costs us in first team games.

Frustrating, I know, but if you look at what you've posted there.

Point a) How are they going to get fit sitting on the bench?
Point b) We've brought them off the bench and they're miles off the pace.

Can't have it both ways. I would be more critical if it's Hiwula, Bakayoko who are miles off the pace. Unfortunately. it is the ones with supposed better ability who are coming back from injury that may take time to get up to speed. It's just an unavoidable fact.

 

[stevefloyd]

So if they are trying to get up to speed why aren't we pushing them in the unders etc? Dont see what the club are doing to improve fitness levels....game time definitely improves fitness/sharpness where there's only so much you can do in the gym

 

[Esoterica]

Tom Bayliss gets my vote for Fringe Player. He looks like an old English sheepdog.

 

[Nick]

Frustrating, I know, but if you look at what you've posted there.

Point a) How are they going to get fit sitting on the bench?
Point b) We've brought them off the bench and they're miles off the pace.

Can't have it both ways. I would be more critical if it's Hiwula, Bakayoko who are miles off the pace. Unfortunately. it is the ones with supposed better ability who are coming back from injury that may take time to get up to speed. It's just an unavoidable fact.

This is where reserve football comes in though isn't it? Kelly was miles off the pace when he has played, to the point he is still swinging to kick the ball when the other player has taken it and gone.

U23 football won't be a match for first team but having the players like Kelly, Ogogo, Bakayoko getting gametime for them is surely going to help? There's no point giving them a game or a half after injury and then just letting them sit on the bench for us.

Even Hiwula and Bakayoko need to play games to stay sharp.

 

[stevefloyd]

This is where reserve football comes in though isn't it? Kelly was miles off the pace when he has played, to the point he is still swinging to kick the ball when the other player has taken it and gone.

U23 football won't be a match for first team but having the players like Kelly, Ogogo, Bakayoko getting gametime for them is surely going to help? There's no point giving them a game or a half after injury and then just letting them sit on the bench for us.

Even Hiwula and Bakayoko need to play games to GET sharp.

EDITED FOR YOU

 

[Esoterica]

This is where reserve football comes in though isn't it? Kelly was miles off the pace when he has played, to the point he is still swinging to kick the ball when the other player has taken it and gone.

U23 football won't be a match for first team but having the players like Kelly, Ogogo, Bakayoko getting gametime for them is surely going to help? There's no point giving them a game or a half after injury and then just letting them sit on the bench for us.

Even Hiwula and Bakayoko need to play games to stay sharp.

I wonder if they've changed something in training after the spate of acl injuries?

 

[Nick]

I wonder if they've changed something in training after the spate of acl injuries?

Not bothered with any from the look of it.

Even though Chaplin hadn't really played before he joined us, he looked miles ahead in terms of match fitness.

 

[stevefloyd]

Do we have a team of bad trainers ? If i was recruiting i would certainly ask any potential player "are you a good trainer because a higher level of fitness shows me you are serious and able to last a full game when we are eaking out a result"
Regardless of which league players are playing in if your not fit to me you are not that serious and possibly not a winner but a good manager could change someones attitude....ie Brian Clough/Robertson for example

 

[Sky Blue Harry H]

This doctor is being thrown out of the UK apparently, after a benefits row - remind you of anybody?

 

[Otis]

This doctor is being thrown out of the UK apparently, after a benefits row - remind you of anybody?

Yeah. Someone from a 70's Kung Fu movie.

 

[Otis]

Why are our players on the bench so unfit?

I can understand that players have injuries but it's a little bit worrying that they don't even seem to be really getting gametime in the U23. Ogogo and Kelly could do with stepping up to the plate, so why aren't they getting loads of time in the reserves and behind closed door games?

Andreu just doesn't seem to have any sort of fitness so to expect him to step in and do much isn't going to happen. Something is seriously wrong there, I know he's been out injured but his general fitness levels are really bad.

How are Kelly and Ogogo going to get up to speed to be able to step in by sitting on the bench and watching? Then they come on and are miles off the pace and it costs us in first team games.

We put Jones on last night, clearly nowhere near fitness and not really going to change games as he was blowing out of his arse after 5 minutes. I'd much rather have preferred throwing Walters or Allisanni in for the difference that Jones made as at least they could have been a nuisance.

This was the lineup the last U23 game



I know it isn't the same as first team football, but why no Kelly / Ogogo? Why no Bakayoko / Hiwula? At least give them 45 minutes if they are sat on the bench watching for first team games. Hiwula didn't even make the squad for Sunderland but then is the player to come on in the next game.

You make a good point, Nick, but I guess the obvious answer is that he couldn't risk any of the players you have mentioned getting injured.

My guess is we have a few carrying knocks on top of those that are already out.

Otherwise it just doesn't make sense.

 

[no_loyalty]

I know the players do a lot of fitness work in pre-season, shuttle runs etc.

Does this continue throughout the season?