Training today

I am going on what has been said about fitness haven’t watched them yet. Gary Jones on one of his commentaries said they didn’t look fit or up to speed. Hopkin must have similar concerns as he has ordered double training sessions no doubt in consultations with the fitness bloke who has just started.

 

I'll give you possibly that Connor Wood deserves a chance there, but not Riley for me. He has been as bad if not worse than Chicksen. That said I am looking forward to seeing how all our players perform when Hopkin (hopefully) has them playing in positions where they feel comfortable and with clear instructions as to what is required of them. I am not one who has been getting on Chicksens back but FFS I hope we never see him at centre half again.

 

Against Barnsley and Macclesfield we looked miles off fitness wise everyone could see that against Wycombe our midfield couldn’t run

 

Barnsley was clearly down to the players having no idea what they were doing against one of the best sides in the division. Nothing to do with fitness. You could put the fittest athletes in the world in that pitch, won’t make a blind difference if they have no instructions or formation to work to. They will look fit tomorrow.

 

Because he was an outstanding player for mufc at right or left bk and sometimes midfield watched him more than a few times you don't turn bad overnight.

 

By whom... as they were all new to our club. I suspect it would have been neglected by their parent club after last season as they already knew they would be going.

They then came here with no one in charge leaving them rudderless so to speak!

Surely as pros they shouldn’t need guidance?

 

It shows what a complete shambles pre-season was. As stated most of the players were new to the club but they should have been assessed re fitness on their individual first day of training at Apperley Bridge and a fitness regime given to them to ensure they all reached peak level by the start of the season. This also should have coincided with a proper pre-season schedule of fixtures when the players should have been bedded in both fitness wise and playing system wise but we all know what an utter shambles our pre-season friendlies were. One of the criticisms against Collins is that he oversaw this shambles.

 

Hi Lee, I obviously haven't seen him at MU but he has been poor at right back for us and weak on his left foot from what I have seen, but I'll leave it up to our new boss. Like all our players I want him to do well, and my MU supporting mates also rate him highly, but I have seen nothing to indicate that a switch from right to left will help him or us. If we are going to drop Chicksen lets at least try a natural left sided player like Wood

 

Nobody is saying he's the answer but despite what you might think, Chicksen is up there with one the worst footballers we've seen in recent years. He's awful. I don't know if Riley is any better but the fact that he's an unknown and is more likely to improve out of the two gives him some leeway.

 

Jamie Lawrence said exactly the same in his co-commentary.

 

Because Collins felt fitness was not an issue when passing a tennis ball between three, in neat triangles ......... in different locations in Bradford ............ No wonder the 'team' played like strangers - they only met for 15 minutes, in the post 'training' showers !

 

Riley has been shocking for us so far but Chicksen is just plan awful.

The problem with Bradford City is Rahic and Rupp just not investing in the team and spending their own money.

The drop from example from Mezza to Chicksen and Darby/McMahon to Ripley is just far to big and these are just LB and RB positions.

 

They weren’t fit enough last season either. I am really pleased that Hopkin seems to make it a priority

 

Same could be said of Connor Wood, who is a natural left sided player. I don't necessarily disagree with you, but I'd rather see him improve in his natural position. Square pegs, round holes etc..

 

Agree, Kev.

In the early 80's, I went camping in the Lakes with some mates, during the Summer.

I was up at 05.00 and on a five mile run - Up and down hills, not on the roads !
Had a strong swimming session each evening (Ullswater), before 'relaxing'.
My mates teased me and suggested I should 'chill' (not a term used then ).
One things for sure - Even as an amateur, I owed it to myself to be ready for pre-season.

 

Because formations, tactics and training isn't important in football.

 

Steady @Fordy117 ......... From the first time I saw Chicksen try to kick a ball at City, I had my doubts last season. Some on C&B posted their disapproval of my comments.
I felt 'OK, so perhaps he's trying too hard (to emulate Meredith)? Also, following his dreadful injury - perhaps mentally, he's wary of 100% commitment ?
But NO ...... I just don't rate him - and nor did Charlton.

 

I liked Chicksen when he first arrived but agree he has been poor latterly....but so has most everyone else. It's interesting in that it's like the Bruenker thing. Nobody thinks they are good enough yet 3 different managers have all had them in the matchday squad when fit. Maybe it is because we have no-one better. Maybe he gives more than others in training. It will be interesting to see if Hopkin plays him. I'm not expecting any radical changes tomorrow.

 

Or maybe because the Owners say so!

Bruenker is another awful player.

Buy cheap buy twice!

 

Walmart ............. "Stack 'em high, and watch 'em buy"