I don't often link to anything at all in my articles, let alone blogs, but I think that this one raised some interesting points about how many injuries we had last season and the potential reasons why. http://www.thfc1882.com/2011/07/05/the-real-reason-spurs-came-fifth/? Some of our losses would have been the predictable ones, like King or Woodgate, but I wonder how many were picked up due to fatigue or pushing players that already had niggles, especially late on in the season? Gomes seemed to be carrying various knocks and strains virtually from the first kick-off and Assou-Ekotto's pull against West Brom was down to either burnout or a poor warm up, in my opinion. Lets hope that some lessons have been learned and we'll approach the coming season a little differently, when it comes to squad rotation. If you think that this article is worthy of a comment, then I'm sure that the original blogger would appreciate recognition on his page, too. It's not me either, before anyone says it!
It's probably a fair point and it's up to a manager to...well.... manage it. It's probably what separates a good manager from a great manager, the ability to balance the rotation of a squad. It's painful to say but Ol' Red Nose at ManUsa manages the balance really well. He regularly rests players without upsetting the rhythm and balance of the team. Hence, Giggs having the energy to keep playing well into his 30's while still having time to "look after" his brothers missus. But Ranieri (and so did Benitez by the end) went to far the other way and changed line-ups nearly every single game, never really allowing a side to settle together. 'Arry has yet to master it as well being rather short-sighted and consistently playing his best 11 even if one of them has only one leg left.
I think he makes a good point PNP we certainly underachieved last season IMO. The injuries must have made a difference but the introduction of VDV was also a contributing factor. The chances produced often did not suit the strikers we had. Many many crosses were not maximised because we did not posess the kind of striker who can capitalise on them. I think Spurs have shown that they are a real threat to teams who try meet them on level terms in an attacking vein. Teams that shut up shop and try for something on the break seem to have more success against Spurs, hence our performance against the lower teams. Sandro should make a real difference this season as he will start from a position of strength, but of course as we all know a NEW STRIKER is paramount. If we can't get that top top striker that Harry moans about then anybody who can work with crosses would be an improvement.
Good point about the crosses, Spurf. I seem to remember that Bale had create the most chances of any player in the league at quite an early stage, but that virtually none of them had been converted. Not sure how much of an impact Sandro is going to make early on, though. He's off on international duty with Brazil at the moment and it may be a distraction. I hope it won't. Milito's getting on a bit now though, CS. He's never played over here, either. I honestly think that the answer could be in a highly controversial move for Adebayor, if he'd lower his wage demands.
I'm sure that you've noticed me banging on about exactly the same thing on here, but in greater detail, Lidls. You're preaching to the converted. Van der Vaart looking tired? Why not play Kranjcar, then? No? How about putting in Bassong or Kaboul for the knackered and injured Gallas or perhaps his burnt out partner, Dawson? Don't fancy that? Then why not give Assou-Ekotto a rest, as he's played for virtually the entire season without break, after playing in the World Cup for Cameroon in the summer? Oh, don't bother now, he's injured...
Goal.com seem to think that Sandro's picked up some kind of unspecified leg injury in training today with Brazil, by the way. Let's hope that it's as accurate a forecast as the rest of their stuff.
It's true though, he harpers on about needing a big squad to compete then rarely uses all of it when it'd help us
In 'Arry's day players would cycle 20 miles to training, play 3 back-to-back matches and then head back down the mines for the night shift, regardless of any "muscle tightness" or fractured limbs. Players these days don't know the meaning of 'ard graft.
What we need is a top draw conditioning coach. Whoever has been doing the job is either not listened to or not very good.
It'll be interesting to see if Sandro starts the season at all. The final of the Copa is Jul 24th. Not unreasonable to expect Brazil to be involved in that! By the time he returns with jetlag, he'll only have 2 weeks before PL ko. Hudd may get his chance, i've no idea how Harry will see that one. To add to the earlier comment on crosses, I've defended the continuing knocking of Lennons delivery. He's consistantly put the the ball into good area's when playing well, its not his fault our strikers movement, which ever pair, seem to be magnetically pulled toward the same post! Bale suffered too with crosses going begging.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNRHtIKiomA Crosses galore and no goals. Harrys interview follows Ian Holloway.
Well he wasn't quite top draw was he Ens? Who was the fella who started at City? I think he is Dutch, he did great work there.
