How can we be so unfit?

[thebenjamin]

Absolutely on our knees from 55 minutes gone. Stoke were faster, fitter stronger. Their greater stamina was startling all over the pitch.

We were absolutely hanging on simply because we could not physically keep up with them. Somebody has got pre season terribly wrong on this evidence.

 

[SugarRay]

Absolutely on our knees from 55 minutes gone. Stoke were faster, fitter stronger. Their greater stamina was startling all over the pitch.

We were absolutely hanging on simply because we could not physically keep up with them. Somebody has got pre season terribly wrong on this evidence.

We were the same over the last 2/3 months of last season too

 

[Strikeb4ck]

Had nothing to do with being unfit. We ran the most last week and the second most over the course of all of last season.

We are just not very good.

When we get the ball there is no idea for how to be dangerous or even just secure in possession.
When the other team applies pressure our gutless, spiritless players who are unwilling to fight and give back what they get (not all of them, but most play this way) hide and we get run over.
When Kane is not there we can't score...luckily Hugo was there today.

 

[TEESSIDE1]

We were the same over the last 2/3 months of last season too

Mason's not 100% match fit due to missing 90% of pre-season.
Lamela has had what, 2 weeks break since last season and now.
Chadli, Dembele and Eriksen aren't renowned for helping out the defence.
Walker getting out sprinted by Arnatovic either confirms he's also not fit or has lost a good 1-2 yards of pace.

Match fitness is only 1 of a long list of issues with our squad.

 

[nav007_2000]

Playing 2 games in Germany a few days before the opening game of the season

 

[SugarRay]

Mason's not 100% match fit due to missing 90% of pre-season.
Lamela has had what, 2 weeks break since last season and now.
Chadli, Dembele and Eriksen aren't renowned for helping out the defence.
Walker getting out sprinted by Arnatovic either confirms he's also not fit or has lost a good 1-2 yards of pace.

Match fitness is only 1 of a long list of issues with our squad.

Oh without a doubt. Our issues go a little deeper than being match fit.

I think we should give Lamela another 3-4 months off at the very least, make sure he is proper rested up!

 

[nedley]

Our pre-season was pathetic.

Money spinning vs preparation unfortunately.

 

[DEFchenkOE]

Our pre-season was pathetic.

Money spinning vs preparation unfortunately.

I think we would have been better having about 4 matches away to championship clubs then a home game against stronger opposition a week before. Did Verts and Alderweireld even play together in pre season? Did Chadli start any games upfront considering he's our backup striker?

Not sure if lack of fitness is to blame more like poor preparation.

 

[absolute bobbins]

Our pre-season was pathetic.

Money spinning vs preparation unfortunately.

We spent most of preseason at the training ground. 1 week in Denver where we can get in high altitude training and a few days in Munich.
The preseason is not an excuse at all

 

[poc]

Nothing to do with fitness, it's all in the mind.

 

[littlemandefoe]

Mason's not 100% match fit due to missing 90% of pre-season.
Lamela has had what, 2 weeks break since last season and now.
Chadli, Dembele and Eriksen aren't renowned for helping out the defence.
Walker getting out sprinted by Arnatovic either confirms he's also not fit or has lost a good 1-2 yards of pace.

Match fitness is only 1 of a long list of issues with our squad.

Please don't look for an excuse for this so called 'footballer'.

 

[littlemandefoe]

Nothing to do with fitness, it's all in the mind.

It is all about confidence. You can be the best player in the world but if your confidence is shot, you're half the player.

 

[Spurger King]

I'd imagine it's a combination of excessive training, a terrible pre-season strategy, and having a lot of average players managed by an average manager.

 

[nedley]

We spent most of preseason at the training ground. 1 week in Denver where we can get in high altitude training and a few days in Munich.
The preseason is not an excuse at all

No, I don't believe it should be an excuse. However, you can't say that playing 2 games in succession, 3 days before the PL kick off is good preparation though.

Kane came off yesterday because he appeared tired according to Pochettino? No fecking shit.

A pointless trip to Australia, pre-season in America and the pointless Audi cup 3 days before PL KO isn't good preparation in my book and neither is leaving the squad light in important areas 2 games into the season but that's another argument.

Poor preparation is part of the reason we will start this season poorly IMO.

 

[HotspurFC1950]

No, I don't believe it should be an excuse. However, you can't say that playing 2 games in succession, 3 days before the PL kick off is good preparation though.

Kane came off yesterday because he appeared tired according to Pochettino? No fecking shit.

A pointless trip to Australia, pre-season in America and the pointless Audi cup 3 days before PL KO isn't good preparation in my book and neither is leaving the squad light in important areas 2 games into the season but that's another argument.

Poor preparation is part of the reason we will start this season poorly IMO.

Put the question to Poch.

 

[littlemandefoe]

I'd imagine it's a combination of excessive training, a terrible pre-season strategy, and having a lot of average players managed by an average manager.

Interesting. Agree about the squad but not sure about Poch. Whats your view on him?

 

[Spurger King]

Interesting. Agree about the squad but not sure about Poch. Whats your view on him?

He's a podgy AVB with a fraction of the charisma.

I actually do want Levy to stick with him because the constant changing of the guard isn't working, but I'm not seeing much progress . I guess we'll all have a better idea of his prospects once the transfer window closes.

 

[littlemandefoe]

He's a podgy AVB with a fraction of the charisma.

I actually do want Levy to stick with him because the constant changing of the guard isn't working, but I'm not seeing much progress . I guess we'll all have a better idea of his prospects once the transfer window closes.

whatever happens, will we be OK?

 

[iluvsteffenfreund]

So hang on, our pre season was woeful with timings and fixtures. Our squad is nowhere near complete and we are two games in. We have one point from a possible six and we surrender a two goal lead because our bench is weak. No centre forward to come on and no leaders in the side. Spursy

 

[NEVILLEB]

He's a podgy AVB with a fraction of the charisma.

I actually do want Levy to stick with him because the constant changing of the guard isn't working, but I'm not seeing much progress . I guess we'll all have a better idea of his prospects once the transfer window closes.

Levy can't be allowed to pick another Manager