70% Physically Ready

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Our players have been absolutely battered after 65 mins for the last 2 seasons. They are athletes and need to be built back upto being able to last 90 minutes (pathetic i know). Koeman likes a intense and pressing game, so realistically they need to be fitter then just an average 90 minute game.

Amazing really we went from one of the fittest in the league under Moyes, to this. Its not going to be as easy as picking it apart in 6 weeks.
 
It is staggering really how a premiership football team cannot be fit enough to compete for 90 minutes. Everyone could see last year we were done in after 70 minutes. The thing is they don't even need to be fit enough for 90 mins high intensity fitness - I know that in Rugby the Welsh National team train for exactly 34 minutes in their match day recreation sessions because they have someone that has worked out that is how long the ball is actually in play for over the 80 minutes of the game. I know the ball is in play more in football but when you take into account throw ins corners, injuries you only really need say a maximum of 75 mins high intensity fitness. Martinez has loads to answer for but the complete lack of fitness is the biggest thing and the players should take some responsibility too. They should have known themselves that they needed to do more in order to compete at that level and its an embarrassment to themselves that they have let themselves go to such a level that Koeman has slated them in this fashion. I do think there is an element of mindgames attached to this though and Koeman is just letting everyone know that there isn't going to be a let up in what is expected of them in terms of fitness training and physicality.
 

I always thought our lack of fitness was overstated during the Martinez Era, but I'm starting to think more and more that there was some validity to that claim

I've no idea how long it should take to get the players to the level of fitness Koeman wants them to be at, but after 3 years he'll probably need a bit more than 6 weeks

You also have to think that along with pushing fitness, the players will also now be working on things like set pieces again that they weren't doing when Martinez was manager?

As with everything else, it's going to take time to get where we want to be under Koeman. A lot of work to be done and having the Euro's probably didn't help with things either

The opening few months of this season are going to be a slog I fear, but hopefully we can claw enough points during it to stay competitive and then kick on into the Winter and Spring months. The Autumn is probably going to be a bit of a write off though. There's going to be a fair bit of frustration in the coming months, but we're going to have to back the team and see ourselves through it
 
First season it wasn't an issue, until after the Arsenal game. We never recovered after that. The second season the Arsenal game when we led 2-0 and the Chelsea game we didn't look anywhere near fit. It's carried on since then. Can't name one player who still had energy going into the last 15 mins. Hence why we were always on the back foot
 

Posted it in the transfer thread by accident, but interesting to note that Ranieri has come out and said his players are only '60%' ready...
 
Their stamina was dreadful last season even allowing for the poor pre season planning. God knows how all those alleged Sports Scientist analysers at Finch Farm earned their corn ? I know...they didnt. It was bad enough the likes of McCarthy being beetroot faced and panting in matches but even Deulofeo seemed to be on his knees in some games. Regardless of this 70% lark quoted, Im looking for a 100% improvement in that out of condition effort last season. On the other tack re throwing games away in the last few minutes, Im hoping Ashley Williams will get this palaver by the scruff of the neck and stop the unnecessary fannying about gifting opposition with undeserved points.
 
Rudolf Hucker said:
How can it have anything to do with Martinez? He's had them for the entire pre season.

He's talking about the physicality of the squad. Too many fannies. It was clear to see against Espanyol. They bullied us.
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It was always a problem with Martinez. Rom, Gerry and Ross got away with murder when it came to defending.

Our defensive 4 were too soft as well. Our fitness was a joke. We were a typical Martinez team by the end.
 
They can obviously play 90 minutes, I'd say he means they just aren't at the level he wants them to perform at. Probably a sign of how bad the players were in the Martinez era. He also didn't blame it all on one thing but the Euros have obviously played its part. I wouldn't say Iv seen any team impress me hugely in pre season. Most clubs are probably in a similar position minus the lack of fitness carried over from the previous regieme
 
chicoazul said:
What have they been doing for pre season then?

Weird statement that. Maybe it was a statement designed to fool the opposition?
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I think it may partly be down to mind games but I'd say less about the opposition, although that may be a factor, but more for our own benefit.

Perhaps it's a public statement to the fans that he expects more from the players, and for the players a wake up call that they must work hard.

What we've got to be careful of is comparing Koeman's readiness and what we saw under Martinez; his 70% may be more than Bobby's 90%.

If we're going to play a more physical, pressing game whereby we impose ourselves on opposition then stamina and strength must be higher.
 

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