Bristol City Training Plans./ LJ and Early Corona Virus Possibilities.

Lee Johnson reveals detail around Bristol City training plans and admits midfielder may already have had virus
The Robins boss is keeping in regular contact with his players through webinars

Bristol City boss Lee Johnson has revealed more about the individual training programmes each player has been put on during the coronavirus suspension.

With no football for the foreseeable future, Robins players have been sent away from the training ground in order to follow government protocol, with each player being given a strict individual training plan to follow.

Johnson admits the uncertainty over when players will be allowed to return to training do not help with their individual plans, but revealed that each player has been given strict instructions to maintain their bodyweight or face a fine.

He told BBC Bristol: "As we stand today we're still working on the theory that we'll be back April 3 in terms of our training programme.

"Whether that's realistic or not, we'll find out over the next couple of days, but that's really been difficult.

"It's the uncertainty, if you like - these boys have got programmes and the programmes are tough, they're not easy.

"They have to work extremely hard, they're under strict rules to come back within 1.5 per cent of their bodyweight or they'll be heavily sanctioned and fined, which is never a great course of motivation, but it generally works because people then think about what they're putting in their mouth.

"You know what it's like, you walk to the cupboard, you're bored, you pick up the old chocolate bar and then three or four pounds later you're having to work double hard to get it off.

"It's important that when they come back, they've got that position of strength, the body is strong and the muscles are nimber.

"The sports scientists are in touch every day."

Johnson also explained that he is keeping in close contact with his squad through holding webinars in order to keep them tactically sharp during this extended period off the pitch.

He said: "It's not just physical, it's tactical, we've been working in webinars, so we've had six or seven on a Zoom platform, and that's been quite fun.

"We've had 15 minutes of banter, and often in the ruthless world of football, that's just battering the man next to you for whatever reason, then we go into various projects.

"Macca's been working on set pieces, I've been showing 15 stills where players are numbered and then each person talks through what each number would be thinking in that particular situation.

"You're just checking on the terminology, philosophy and making sure their minds are engaged and activated, and to be fair, it's gone really well."

He added: "It's been good to see everyone - you live 24/7 with these lads and you miss them.

"You go through a lot in a season, there's lots of ups and downs, cajoling, pushing and pulling but deep down there's a strong bond that's built.

"Not just through the players but between the staff and players as well."

The Robins boss also revealed that some players had shown symptoms of the coronavirus, but stressed that the club have not had any confirmed cases.

However, Johnson went on to speculate that midfielder Adam Nagy's illness recently could well have been an early case of the virus.

He said: "We've had a couple, no proper confirmed cases but certainly players that have felt a few symptoms.

"We go back to when Adam Nagy was out through illness, and he may have potentially had the coronavirus at that point.

"Actually, hopefully he has done because then there's a good chance he won't get it again.

"Our doctor hasn't had to go flying round the houses, put it that way, which is good, as it means the lads are adhering to the government protocol."

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/lee-johnson-reveals-detail-around-3995657

 

Is LJ at it again or am I reading it wrong, he says ~
"However, Johnson went on to speculate that midfielder Adam Nagy's illness recently could well have been an early case of the virus.
He said: "We've had a couple, no proper confirmed cases but certainly players that have felt a few symptoms.
"We go back to when Adam Nagy was out through illness, and he may have potentially had the coronavirus at that point.
"Actually, hopefully he has done because then there's a good chance he won't get it again."

Not heard of anybody else blaming the virus for recent team failures, interesting possible deflection strategy from LJ.