We’re not fit enough, warns Sam

[Scottish Mag 3]

A FRUSTRATED Sam Allardyce last night admitted Newcastle’s players have proved themselves unable to tolerate the training techniques he believes are needed to ensure a successful season at St James’s Park.

 

And it seems the problems stem from the Glenn Roeder regime – with Allardyce suggesting his hapless predecessor had allowed his first-team squad to become ‘de-conditioned’ and left the club’s players in no shape to deal with the demands that the modern game puts on top-flight footballers.

 

Although the Premier League season has not yet begun, United have 10 senior players on the injured list. It is a situation the Magpies manager believes vindicates his faith in the prevention programme he is determined to implement at the club’s training HQ.

 

It will come too late for the forthcoming campaign – with Allardyce’s worst fears about his squad’s general fitness levels having been realised during an ill-fated pre-season programme in which he has seen some of his most-important players suffer various problems that will postpone their Premier League participation.

 

“We’re disappointed with the injuries we’ve got,” said a manager who, with his options limited, was forced to field an inexperienced team during this week’s penultimate warm-up game at Hull.

 

“It seems as though the players’ tolerance levels are still very low. I warned everyone about that before I came. I felt that the players were de-conditioned to a point. It has been proven.”

 

Michael Owen and Shola Ameobi both seem certain to miss Newcastle’s opening fixture at Bolton on August 11 having each played just 45 minutes under Allardyce this summer – the former with a thigh complaint, the latter with a back problem.

 

Albert Luque, Celestine Babayaro and David Rozehnal have all suffered groin strains in recent weeks. All are injuries that indicate that the players’ base fitness levels are lacking.

 

“We’re trying to train in double shifts, that’s what is needed at this stage in a pre-season campaign but the players haven’t been able to tolerate it,” said a manager who has always stressed that it will take time for his methods to have an impact.

 

That he has had to adapt his training sessions to accommodate a fragile squad means it will take even longer.

 

“We’re having to work them in other areas and other ways with the sports science and medical staff to keep up their fitness while recovering from these niggles,” he explained. “We’re trying to give them three rehab sessions a day to (help them) get over their injuries and keep them as fit as we can.”

 

Allardyce has conceded that his team will not be as fit as their opponents when Newcastle take on Bolton next weekend and, considering he was the man who revolutionised the fitness and medical programmes that have become renowned at the Reebok Stadium, that is a major annoyance.

 

The 52-year-old has yet to make the appointments that he hopes will enable him to replicate his Bolton back-room team at St James’s Park. That has not aided his efforts in recent weeks, although it seems that the greatest problems are the ones he inherited from Roeder.

 

Damien Duff was sidelined with an injured ankle that will rule him out until November prior to Allardyce’s arrival, while Emre has not featured all summer and is receiving treatment on his ankle problem first suffered last season under a German specialist.

 

The Magpies boss has also suffered considerable ill-fortune. Having impressed on his debut following a £5.8m move from Manchester City, Joey Barton suffered a fractured metatarsal during his second appearance in Newcastle colours. Steven Taylor suffered a recurrence of an ankle injury during his first game under Allardyce’s charge, while Nicky Butt’s injured knee has ensured the former England international has played a limited role in recent weeks.

 

All 10 players missed this week’s trip a Hull – a match in which Allardyce suffered his first defeat as United boss – and most will sit out this weekend’s final pre-season fixture against Sampdoria. Mark Viduka is expected to make his long-awaited debut, although with the campaign approaching fast, Allardyce’s annoyance continues to mount.

[sandman02uk 0]

A FRUSTRATED Sam Allardyce last night admitted Newcastle’s players have proved themselves unable to tolerate the training techniques he believes are needed to ensure a successful season at St James’s Park.

 

And it seems the problems stem from the Glenn Roeder regime – with Allardyce suggesting his hapless predecessor had allowed his first-team squad to become ‘de-conditioned’ and left the club’s players in no shape to deal with the demands that the modern game puts on top-flight footballers.

 

Although the Premier League season has not yet begun, United have 10 senior players on the injured list. It is a situation the Magpies manager believes vindicates his faith in the prevention programme he is determined to implement at the club’s training HQ.

 

It will come too late for the forthcoming campaign – with Allardyce’s worst fears about his squad’s general fitness levels having been realised during an ill-fated pre-season programme in which he has seen some of his most-important players suffer various problems that will postpone their Premier League participation.

 

“We’re disappointed with the injuries we’ve got,” said a manager who, with his options limited, was forced to field an inexperienced team during this week’s penultimate warm-up game at Hull.

 

“It seems as though the players’ tolerance levels are still very low. I warned everyone about that before I came. I felt that the players were de-conditioned to a point. It has been proven.”

 

Michael Owen and Shola Ameobi both seem certain to miss Newcastle’s opening fixture at Bolton on August 11 having each played just 45 minutes under Allardyce this summer – the former with a thigh complaint, the latter with a back problem.

 

Albert Luque, Celestine Babayaro and David Rozehnal have all suffered groin strains in recent weeks. All are injuries that indicate that the players’ base fitness levels are lacking.

 

“We’re trying to train in double shifts, that’s what is needed at this stage in a pre-season campaign but the players haven’t been able to tolerate it,” said a manager who has always stressed that it will take time for his methods to have an impact.

 

That he has had to adapt his training sessions to accommodate a fragile squad means it will take even longer.

 

“We’re having to work them in other areas and other ways with the sports science and medical staff to keep up their fitness while recovering from these niggles,” he explained. “We’re trying to give them three rehab sessions a day to (help them) get over their injuries and keep them as fit as we can.”

 

Allardyce has conceded that his team will not be as fit as their opponents when Newcastle take on Bolton next weekend and, considering he was the man who revolutionised the fitness and medical programmes that have become renowned at the Reebok Stadium, that is a major annoyance.

 

The 52-year-old has yet to make the appointments that he hopes will enable him to replicate his Bolton back-room team at St James’s Park. That has not aided his efforts in recent weeks, although it seems that the greatest problems are the ones he inherited from Roeder.

 

Damien Duff was sidelined with an injured ankle that will rule him out until November prior to Allardyce’s arrival, while Emre has not featured all summer and is receiving treatment on his ankle problem first suffered last season under a German specialist.

 

The Magpies boss has also suffered considerable ill-fortune. Having impressed on his debut following a £5.8m move from Manchester City, Joey Barton suffered a fractured metatarsal during his second appearance in Newcastle colours. Steven Taylor suffered a recurrence of an ankle injury during his first game under Allardyce’s charge, while Nicky Butt’s injured knee has ensured the former England international has played a limited role in recent weeks.

 

All 10 players missed this week’s trip a Hull – a match in which Allardyce suffered his first defeat as United boss – and most will sit out this weekend’s final pre-season fixture against Sampdoria. Mark Viduka is expected to make his long-awaited debut, although with the campaign approaching fast, Allardyce’s annoyance continues to mount.

 

10 players out before the season has even started

[Guest alex]

"Damien Duff was sidelined with an injured ankle that will rule him out until November prior to Allardyce’s arrival, while Emre has not featured all summer and is receiving treatment on his ankle problem first suffered last season under a German specialist."

 

It's bad enough when it happens on the pitch.

[sandman02uk 0]

"Damien Duff was sidelined with an injured ankle that will rule him out until November prior to Allardyce’s arrival, while Emre has not featured all summer and is receiving treatment on his ankle problem first suffered last season under a German specialist."

 

It's bad enough when it happens on the pitch.

 

I did have a *snigger* at that myself

 

(am I allowed to say that? or do I have to say *safroamerican*)

[ewerk 31238]

Was Souness' theory about our training ground ever proved/disproved?

[Dr Gloom 22216]

crack the whip sam. get em in shape or ship em out

[sandman02uk 0]

Was Souness' theory about our training ground ever proved/disproved?

 

Anyone have any stats? I'm sure our horrific injury record started with FFS new training ground

[TheInspiration 1]

Was Souness' theory about our training ground ever proved/disproved?

 

Anyone have any stats? I'm sure our horrific injury record started with FFS new training ground

We had plenty of injuries last season also, however they tended to be freak accidents on the pitch, as opposed to on the training ground. Maybe Souness and his coaches' warm-ups and stretches were poor. Under Roeder, maybe there was a similar case of the players being poorly prepared before matches? Not sure really.

[The Mighty Hog 529]

Was Souness' theory about our training ground ever proved/disproved?

 

 

I remeber reading about it when Robson was in charge. Can't remember if it was Robson himself who said something or it was just a rumour.

Edited August 3, 2007 by The Mighty Hog

[Holden McGroin 6802]

He seems to be making a hell of a lot excuses already...

[Gemmill 46231]

He seems to be making a hell of a lot excuses already...

 

Some people!

[Fop 1]

Was Souness' theory about our training ground ever proved/disproved?

 

Anyone have any stats? I'm sure our horrific injury record started with FFS new training ground

 

We've had a pretty high number of injuries almost every season back to 1996ish, although maybe it's been worse since 1999ish with some real crises under Robson (and Gullit too maybe prior), Souness and Roeder.

 

When was the new training ground built anyway?

 

 

 

 

People always harp back to our "poor" defensive record (which is actually broadly BS especially under Robson), but really I think it's our injuries that have done for us as much as anything over the years..... although last season was bad even by our standard.

[Holden McGroin 6802]

He seems to be making a hell of a lot excuses already...

 

Some people!

 

Whats so bad about that comment?

 

I actually think its quite clever on his part. He is not letting the fans get carried away. If we finish mid table then he will give it "I told you so".

[Gemmill 46231]

I think there's been some management of expectations which he's done quite well, but I think it's harsh saying he's getting "a hell of a lot" of excuses in.

[wykikitoon 20945]

Alrhough it does make grim reading regarding the injuries, it also makes good reading that someone is finally on the case!

 

Come on Sam, sort the useless overpaid twats out!

[Dr Kenneth Noisewater 0]

Roeder seething tbh.

 

"Glenn Roeder's players are not out of condition. I'm not one for excuses but blah blah blah etc......"

[Fop 1]

Roeder seething tbh.

 

"Glenn Roeder's players are not out of condition. I'm not one for excuses but blah blah blah etc......"

 

 

I must admit though if it were Roeder saying exactly the same stuff as BS (excuses really about signings and other potential issues) has said in the last few weeks he'd be getting crucified.

[Guest alex]

Roeder seething tbh.

 

"Glenn Roeder's players are not out of condition. I'm not one for excuses but blah blah blah etc......"

 

 

I must admit though if it were Roeder saying exactly the same stuff as BS (excuses really about signings and other potential issues) has said in the last few weeks he'd be getting crucified.

He wasn't this time last year iirc.

[Fop 1]

Roeder seething tbh.

 

"Glenn Roeder's players are not out of condition. I'm not one for excuses but blah blah blah etc......"

 

 

I must admit though if it were Roeder saying exactly the same stuff as BS (excuses really about signings and other potential issues) has said in the last few weeks he'd be getting crucified.

He wasn't this time last year iirc.

 

Yep but the question is really will BS be this time next year?

 

I do wonder how many that say "midtable is fine" now will be happy if it is a midtable finish in the end.

[Sally Brown 0]

The excuses start already. Probably to dampen down expectations.

 

Don't they consider fitness and injury records when signing players. Personally I'm amazed that anybody is interested in paying good money for Dyer. If I had a record like that at work, I'd have been out on the dole long ago.

 

sally

[Guest alex]

Roeder seething tbh.

 

"Glenn Roeder's players are not out of condition. I'm not one for excuses but blah blah blah etc......"

 

 

I must admit though if it were Roeder saying exactly the same stuff as BS (excuses really about signings and other potential issues) has said in the last few weeks he'd be getting crucified.

He wasn't this time last year iirc.

 

Yep but the question is really will BS be this time next year?

 

I do wonder how many that say "midtable is fine" now will be happy if it is a midtable finish in the end.

I thought Roeder at this stage of the off-season last year was more comparable to Allardyce at this point this year.

[Papa Lazaru 0]

I don't think he's making excuses at all, though if it helps lower expectations so much the better.

 

The fact is he's built his reputation on expertise of sports science and fitnes/injuries alongside the expert staff that requires. And he's come in with that eye for thigns, watched our players as they go through all his tests and extra training regimes and seen them being far from up to scratch for what's required and he's quite rightly not happy about that.

 

After all, its what all toon fans with any brains have been saying for years, that our fitness and coaching was shite, that we were ending up with too many injuries, that players couldn't last 90 mins etc. and over time Big Sam will address that, but for now he's stuck with the after effect of having two complete morons in charge of our players before him!