I think Williams is part of our best team. The way he nips in and draws fouls allows us to reset and set pieces are a good way of creating chances. Morgan can open up a team with a pass and Shinnie is busy and tidy. Put Watson or Pratley at the base of the diamond and I think that is currently our best midfield. That may change as players like Maddison and Gilbey get into the swing of things, but I think that is our best for now.
Is two starts a week really too much for him? I get the issue with Chuks, but given that Pratley and Watson both seem to start every game surely someone 15 years their junior can do it too?
We wrap our players in cotton wool and they still get injured
We must have one of the least fit squads in the league? Chuks is a professional footballer who can't start games, Albie can't play two in a row, Williams plays about 60 is out on his feet... Is this the absence of a strength & conditioning coach?
And yet the over 30s Pratley, Watson and Gunter play the full matches, Saturday/Tuesday
Is two starts a week really too much for him? I get the issue with Chuks, but given that Pratley and Watson both seem to start every game surely someone 15 years their junior can do it too?
We wrap our players in cotton wool and they still get injured
We must have one of the least fit squads in the league? Chuks is a professional footballer who can't start games, Albie can't play two in a row, Williams plays about 60 is out on his feet... Is this the absence of a strength & conditioning coach?
No doubt that along with other medical/fitness cut backs play part.
I’d say Williams and Aneke are two players who’d be playing at a higher level if they were fit enough to regularly play 90 minutes.
I read that a lot about Williams but how often does he have a good game? So few and far between
His injury/fitness problems are a big reason for that. It means he rarely plays the full 90 minutes, never mind starts two games in a week. A player can’t build up consistency if he never gets a run of games. Being very fit makes a huge difference to a players game.
To put it another way, if Pratley was as fit as Williams we surely wouldn’t have kept him. You wouldn’t get much out of a player like him if they couldn’t handle 90 minutes. The type of player Williams is means rotating in and out the team is less of an issue than it is for a defensive player.
I’m not saying I think he can become that fit. Given he’s barely played this season he’s got a lot to do to earn another contract.
One of the biggest parts about squad harmony and togetherness will be trying to ensure that nearly everyone gets minutes, else he'll have eleven players who are happy playing every week and the rest who are unhappy - If one of those players gets injured and someone comes in for the first time in weeks, is that player
(1) going to be even match fit (2) playing at their best as they'll question if they'll be straight back out the starting team when the injured fella is back
Imagine saying to Rooney at 18, sorry lad, 2 starts a week is not for you.
I guess thats why neither Owen or Rooney have either excelled in the latter stages of their careers
Both got overplayed as kids and have paid the price for that by burning out
Messi and Ronaldo are still going.
Look at how often Messi was playing when he started out compared to Rooney and Owen
Not to mention both have learnt how to manage their bodies...
Didnt Ryan Giggs take up Yoga to extend his career, amongst other activities
I don't think it's simply down to be overplayed that's the issue although it can undoubtedly contribute. Some players are simply more fragile physically and some just take better care of themselves.
As the intensity of the game increases it will be harder for players to have a long career if they have poor levels of fitness. Skill alone won't be enough. Maybe careers will just simply get shorter.
Imagine saying to Rooney at 18, sorry lad, 2 starts a week is not for you.
I guess thats why neither Owen or Rooney have either excelled in the latter stages of their careers
Both got overplayed as kids and have paid the price for that by burning out
Messi and Ronaldo are still going.
Look at how often Messi was playing when he started out compared to Rooney and Owen
Not to mention both have learnt how to manage their bodies...
Didnt Ryan Giggs take up Yoga to extend his career, amongst other activities
True, just the 40 odd appearance aged 19 and 20!
Even then he wasnt playing that many League games though was he? - But thats my point, take a look at him compared to Owen and Rooney when they all broke through, the latter were playing nearly every game the moment they started
Imagine saying to Rooney at 18, sorry lad, 2 starts a week is not for you.
I guess thats why neither Owen or Rooney have either excelled in the latter stages of their careers
Both got overplayed as kids and have paid the price for that by burning out
Messi and Ronaldo are still going.
Look at how often Messi was playing when he started out compared to Rooney and Owen
Not to mention both have learnt how to manage their bodies...
Didnt Ryan Giggs take up Yoga to extend his career, amongst other activities
True, just the 40 odd appearance aged 19 and 20!
Even then he wasnt playing that many League games though was he? - But thats my point, take a look at him compared to Owen and Rooney when they all broke through, the latter were playing nearly every game the moment they started
At 19 he played in 26 of the 38 league games, and I believe 8 of the 12 missed was because of his legal status/injuries. The following season he played in 28 league games, again missing around 9 games because of injury. So yes, he was starting 95% of the games he was available for at the age of 19 and 20.
Morginho is quality. Can have the same amount of time as any other player but looks like he has twice as much, ball on a string with the vision to kick.
How on Earth did no L2 club come in and take this kid on loan? Thank goodness they didn't. Superb game today, he has listened to Bowyer and pushed on hugely.
How on Earth did no L2 club come in and take this kid on loan? Thank goodness they didn't. Superb game today, he has listened to Bowyer and pushed on hugely.
Thank f*** they didn't
I wonder if other clubs heard Lee moaning about Morgan and assumed he a problem player or something
There is space amongst the bandwagon for some of you to jump on the Albie bandwagon I have stood strong on throughout. But you must repeal your sins and admit your mistakes.
There is space amongst the bandwagon for some of you to jump on the Albie bandwagon I have stood strong on throughout. But you must repeal your sins and admit your mistakes.
Comments
I’m not saying I think he can become that fit. Given he’s barely played this season he’s got a lot to do to earn another contract.
Imagine saying to Rooney at 18, sorry lad, 2 starts a week is not for you.
I'm imagining England getting to the latter stages of several tournaments.
Both got overplayed as kids and have paid the price for that by burning out
Not to mention both have learnt how to manage their bodies...
Didnt Ryan Giggs take up Yoga to extend his career, amongst other activities
Its why its up to the Manager to manage their game time
One of the biggest parts about squad harmony and togetherness will be trying to ensure that nearly everyone gets minutes, else he'll have eleven players who are happy playing every week and the rest who are unhappy - If one of those players gets injured and someone comes in for the first time in weeks, is that player
(1) going to be even match fit
(2) playing at their best as they'll question if they'll be straight back out the starting team when the injured fella is back
As the intensity of the game increases it will be harder for players to have a long career if they have poor levels of fitness. Skill alone won't be enough. Maybe careers will just simply get shorter.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Messi#Career_statistics
The last few seasons have shown us we need to avoid overplaying players when we have the option to.
Rooney, as an early developer, was more able to cope physically with two starts a week than others.
Curbs was always careful not to overplay Parker, Konchesky etc as an aside and they both turned out alright.
Keep it going lad!
Delighted for him finally scoring a well deserved first goal for the Club. Let's hope it's the first of many.
Looks so comfortable on the ball. Very impressed.
I've said before, just a natural footballer.
He's gonna make mistakes and his pass competition will never be high as he is always trying to create something with every other touch.
Love watching this kid
I wonder if other clubs heard Lee moaning about Morgan and assumed he a problem player or something