Our fitness levels

[blue to the bone]

Just something i have been wondering about. Was over at game last nght my first visit of the season so am not claiming to be an expert but have seen all of our games on telly or online. does anyone else agree that maybe we are not as fit as we should be. noticeable to me in last ten minutes last night that when we attacked players were very slow to get up in support, whether they were stayin back so as not to concede is another thing but i dont think so. another thing from my involvement with amateur sport here is that concentration levels wain late in games when minds and bodies are tired. could be the reason for conceding so many late goals. just interested in the views of lads who see us in the flesh the whole time.

 

[BlueToffee95]

I agree to an extent. We did look leggy at times last night, and have done recently. I think its mainly due to injuries and knocks tbh though. Gibson did well to play 70+ yesterday, and Fellaini looke tired after a terrific first half. We could do with improving the squads general fitness levels though.

 

[billycopper]

It's a possibility. We're top of the table if games finished at half time, which suggests that we drop off as the game wears on. We probably work with a smaller group of players than most other sides. You'd imagine that fatigue would be an issue but, given how strongly we normally finish, perhaps we pace ourselves because of it and that's why we start slowly?

 

[noharmdone]

They are proffessional athletes lads, you dont expect them to be able to play a total of 3 hours football in a week do you ? Come on..
We will have the goalie practising kicking it next.. Crazy talk.

 

[Brennan]

We were chasing and closing down Arsenal all night, that's why they were tired.

 

[mpatton]

I think you have a point. Kevin Ratcliffe at half time looked a bit tired, and as pointed out by someone else Howard kendall wasn't exactly setting a good example. As for Alex Young and Colin harvey, they looked well past it. Someone should have a word with the fitness coach.

 

[Elong]

We are letting in some late goals, there's always the possibility this is a problem too? We're playing at a lot higher tempo this year, coupled with Moyes's lack of subs, it could be a fair explanation.

 

[blaggerblue]

We were chasing and closing down Arsenal all night, that's why they were tired.

This...and remember our style of play has changed considerably . We are attacking in greater numbers than we have in previous years and of course those players are having to scramble back and defend too. We are simply expending more energy on average these days.

 

[Titus Bramble]

It's very hard to close down a passing team for 90 minutes. Although we looked the more dangerous going forward, we were definitely chasing the ball down more than usual. It's to be expected.

 

[blue to the bone]

interestin views. agreed we put a lot of pressure on arsenal last night and took a lot oot of our lads but in other games is it a factor too. maybe we did not do as hard a pre season hence our better start

 

[icburns]

Vellios is well fit, like.

 

[McBain]

Brenners is right.. although I would have liked to see some fresh legs in sooner.

Anyone else think McAleny could do a job in the last 15? Barkley needs to get on the Pitch but old Davey knows what he's doing however frustrating.

 

[PeterMeter]

I think we've seen the positives of not doing the world's toughest pre-season training one week into the season this year around. Every new player mentions how hard Moyes' works his players in pre-season but this year they were even given a 3-4 day break in what I think was the last week before the premiere. He's learnt his lessons there, even if this might mean that we are at lower fitness levels compared to previous seasons.

Maybe the poor results of late have resulted in an angry Moyes, meaning he puts them through punishing extra runs. I know I've had my fair share of coaches who worked that way.

 

[Terry Nutkins]

My mate made a valid point after I suggested that a few players looked tired on Wednesday. We've dominated alot games this season and enjoyed the lion's share of possession. On Wednesday Arsenal enjoyed long periods of possession and we all know that football is a much harder game when you are not in possession of the ball. Perhaps that is a factor in some players looking tired at the end of the game.