Anyone think lack of games affect our match fitness

Just interested in general thoughts on this.

I thought we looked like the energy levels were down at times against Swansea, and this was after a weeks break since Arsenal in FA cup.

Often hear how although players are training they are not "match fit" until they have regular games under their belt. A week until Southampton then 15 days until united. I am sure we will be up for that but wouldn't be surprised if we are a bit leggy later on.

Also don't think the long breaks suit Suarez even though with his work rate you would think he needs them.

 

I always disagree with Jose who says we have the advantage not playing as many games. Personally I think the players are able to play midweek and weekends and the more games you play the sharper you are.

 

It could affect us but a good manager should be able to put the extra time to good use so that it becomes more of a benefit than a problem

 

Maybe thats the problem with defence, too much time

 

well if its such an issue can always arrange a friendly against our u21 team.

be good for the youngsters any way, players like tex etc can see what they are up against to try and get in the team, may help raise their game as well.

might not be as competitive as it can be, but still be a good test and may suit both teams to prove their worth to the squad.

 

Yeah agreed on the organising/drills/extra fitness work front but matchday fitness seems to be about keeping it mentally strong with screaming crowds, opposition teams tearing into you at 100 mph, and getting your thinking and sharpness up to the top level, not sure all the training possible can recreate that. Almost feel we need a pre-season before united!

Noticed Solskjær was planning to take Cardiff away to Abu Dhabi or somewhere this week (now cancelled), wonder if BR has plans to break the break up a bit.

 

My local pub team is willing to give them a game as prep against Utd.

 

I offered this several times during fa cup campaign and nobody cared


I do not think it affects fitness but it affects form

1. It breaks the sequence and you end up playing from scratch

2. A lot of the time sides can simply go off the boil at the end and cruise home now, at least we should have something to focus on


However that all said, we will end up squeezing in Sunderland game and city game so I think we should take the 15 days as a godsend for Suarez to rest up in and kick on from

 

Pointless, I have heard your local pub team is good

 

Fixed

 

You quite often hear players say that they'd rather play more games as it's preferable to training

 

Must say the first time I ever heard a manager cite tiredness as a reason/excuse for his team's poor performance was Arsene, many years ago now. I thought he was having a giraffe.
Since then everyone has jumped on the bandwagon. I never bought it then and I don't buy it now. I think breaks are really bad news for football teams.

 

Playing two games a week is good for the better sides as they have better quality that doesn't require the same level of coaching to perform. Of course, its generally the better sides that play twice a week because they're in Europe.

If you have a lesser quality squad then game plans and tactics are needed more so playing twice a week becomes a hamper.

What I find difficult for us is, we fit into both categories; the attack doesn't need coaching but the defensive side does.

 

NO. Because we struggled against teams that are not playing in Europe.Fulham, West Brom are good examples.