Why not? It’s not a binary thing, every bodies weight fluctuates. If he’s good enough he can play, even if he’s heavier than ideal. Doesn’t necessarily mean he’s eating too much or drinking too much, could be as simple as too much gym
I think he glues the back line together personally. Ballard and Mepham may be defenders with higher ability in defensive terms. But defences are built on relationships and partnerships. ONien, for me, is a must and will make either Mepham or Ballard better.
It's just a question and an opinion. If he was too heavy I don't think the club would be happy him playing and we would be seeing a change in him. He hasn't got smaller or bigger since the season started as far as I recall
I just mean all the player’s weights will fluctuate. And keepers do spend more time working on their upper body strength for obvious reasons. With increase strength if over done he can put on too much mass which will slow him down. That’s what I think has happened. The club aren’t then going to say “sorry you can’t play” if he’s still the best keeper despite not being ideal weight. Whether he is or not, without us being able to see any data, is obviously down to the eye test. And to me he looks noticeably stronger and slower than he did this time last season, which I think is simply a case of him trying to find the right balance and body shape. and to be clear it’s not in any way a criticism of him.
There isnt a chance any player, at a top level, who is a stone overweight plays. That is just daft to think. Patto will have body fat, weight, reaction times etc etc etc tested all the time. He will have an optimum body weight. A stone over that he is more likely fined than played. Doesnt mean he isnt allowed to be bigget than last year. Still young enough to be building muscle. Hasnt looked any less in terms of reaction to me. Anyone thinking the club accept him being a stone over and still playing him isnt being realistic, imo.
Yeh fair. By stone overweight I meant he just looks slower. Rather than literally a stone. He’s definitely bigger than last season and as I’ve said I don’t think that’s a problem nor is it a criticism
And that must in agreement with the club? He can't just roll up significantly bigger and the dieticians etc not be asking questions?
Yeh I think it will be because of his strength regime that the club have probably put in place themselves
It's all super super monitored. You're correct. However, I'll just give my opinion on here, he is too heavy.
Your opinion obviously differs to the club and professionals, therefore he isn’t too heavy. No matter what we say he’s at a weight he’s supposed to be at, and having a very good season
Very, very good today that mind. For a team, a really young team that haven't won for a canny while, especially when they have played well enough in most games, to be as positive and relentless as that was very impressive. The winner was coming. Neil just outstanding. He has always looked to pass forward and it made a difference in the end. You can see why they persist with him in that role. Even Rhodri said he was completely lost when he started that job at City. But if you can get a deep midfielder doing the mundane stuff who can play too, man it's just gold dust. Tommy in the last two games has made himself a member of the team and not just a hopeful young lad. So many good signs. Hopefully we can give Chris a rest soon. Send him fishing for a week or whatever, a couple of weeks to rest physically and mentally, especially the latter. We have to look after him, and the others have to stand up. Jobe will be fine as he has had a rest with his ban. This is really a team and a time to like.
the more i think about this game the more i remember about it, the intent was there from the off and when stoke scored it just fired the lads up even more. we have managed to hold onto one of the top spots despite a lack of wins (and that was not through a lack of trying) and came out today for a horrible early kick off in that weather yet they buckled down and got on with the job, every one of those lads gets credit from me, i have been a bit critical of neil and roberts but when they both step up it fuels the team, were they all superb?, of course not but teams rarely are 'spotless' look at man utd's defending today then look at man citys recent form...footballers are not perfect but our lads are putting in 100% most games.
Haven't seen anyone mention that we came from behind to win today's game. Albeit we only trialled for 90 seconds it showed the spirit within this young team is immense. There was a period second half when Stoke pushed us back a bit and we needed a few deep breaths and go again which we did last 15 minutes. There was a really strong challenge, think it was Hume or Rigg which got the fans going and we never looked back. Think 5-2 would have been fair today. Thought the Ref had a decent game and everyone on that pitch deserved a pat on the back for serving up such a good game in very trying conditions. OaU.
Yes this is true however, just because we are fans we are always not having to trust the club. This is not to take the shine of today btw. But with this sector there have been many examples that go against professional or top physiological advice. 1. Cirkin was told he needed an op earlier we delayed 2. Samed was injured and we signed him, knowing it was problematic. Still haven't played a minute. 3. Brown literally came back on after an assesment with a broken leg. 4. Poveda has been an injury record walking and we provided him a 3 or 4 year deal and hasn't really played a half yet. Whilst I am sure there are counter arguments to those above and my point, I think it's also worth noting, just because most are not employed by the club (professional) we can still have our say, especially if points like above are made.
