Training today

If we are going to play a back three it always seemed to me like those three were the obvious candidates.
So, with Robinson out, who do we have that's capable, both defensively and going forward, and with a good enough engine, to play wing back?

 

That’s what Mellor was signed for. And Chicksen is decent going forward but poor defending

 

Mellor will be on the right. Then either Riley or Wood on the left

 

Wood played left wing or wing back. I fancy him above Chicksen.

 

Agree. Can't be any worse surely

 

Good to hear that they are training twice a day. Making a start at getting fitness levels up.

 

The problem with 3-5-2, which it seems Hopkin likes to play, is that it needs two wingbacks and we seem to have full backs and wingers. If we go down that road where does that leave Scannell and Seedorf? More evidence of the folly of recruiting players in the summer when you don't know what system you are going to play.

 

Their fitness levels should have been up by the start of the season not 5 weeks after just goes to show what a shambles and unorganised Collins was.

 

Whilst I agree with the first part 100%, this ain't just about Collins. Unorganized yes , naive yes , shambolic maybe but one man alone can't navigate the footballing side of the football club. I'm not dismissing his part in this sorry episode but for me , the root problems are still there.

 

Surely this is the responsibility of a fitness coach? The fact that our fitness coach was only with us for a short period of time and wasn't replaced until last week shows waht a complete shambles pre season and a month into the new season was.

 

Why on earth do people think Riley, who has been very poor in his natural right back position, is suddenly the answer at left back????

 

Because he played for Manchester United's under 23s so he must be good. Apparently.

 

If Hopkin can see they need double sessions, why couldn't Collins?

 

If you listen to some so called experts on here we could easily have been suffering fatigue after 6 games after Collins inexcusably mentioned fatigue as a factor in the losses. Doesn't help when your owner/manager/COO/ brings in a fitness coach who then buggers off like he did last time he was here. Professional athletes eh?

 

I never said he was the answer. But he might be, as we won't know until we try it

 

I think this is another area we have tried to economise on tbh. Having a fitness coach for a few weeks is amateur. It should have been right up there with the manager. Some managers like Parky have their own particular preference. Well I would contend our players haven’t been fit since. We have one now so hopefully he can begin to work with the players on fitness and nutrition. The are doing double training so will need good nutritional advice. Ignore this part of the success of players at your peril.

 

I honestly don’t think you can assess any of our players. They are not fit according to lots of fans on here, which is an absolute avoidable obstacle. When Hopkin gets them all fit, then we can judge them, which he is right, it will take about 5-6 weeks, which should have happened pre-season!

 

Nobody was questioning their fitness when they won the two league games. Sometimes a lack of confidence and questionable attitude can be mistaken for lack of fitness. I’ll guarantee you tomorrow those players on the field for City will not lack for fitness. Get the first goal tomorrow and they’ll look as fit as butchers dogs for the rest of the game.

 

On their fitness I would be interested to know if they were given anything to do over the summer.