With one friendly game gone and 5 of the first team on the injury list can Malky really consider the Swiss training camp a success? We have Stephen McPhail, Kevin McNaughton, Don Cowie, Rudy Gestede and Jordon Mutch all out injured and will miss the Chelteham game. Reports say they will be back for the Oxford game. Anyway, I was under the impression the Swiss camp was to work on fitness levels and clear up any injuries so was the week in the Alps a success? Methinks not really.
I suppose it depends on how serious the injuries are. It could be they are things that the players would play through during the season though there is no point in risking it before a ball is kicked in anger. We do seem to get more than our fair share of 'minor' injuries though. No legislating for things like ankle ligament damage, but tight thighs, calfs and hammies suggests something not right with the 'fitness' side of things. It's always hard to say whether it's good or bad. We could have stayed at home and had 3 friendlies and ended up with far more problems than we have. McPhail is the biggest worry. His body seems shot. Rudy having a tweak again is not an auspicious start.
There will always be little knocks and niggles pre-season. If you're going to have them, have them then and get them out of your system. Agreed, McPhail is a worry. I said at the end of last season the next season may be 1 too far for him and that he needs to consider himself and family and overall health. Rudy - no surprise and McNuggs always seems to carry some sort of knock but gets on with it anyway. We need Cowie and Mutch to be fit and raring to go for the start of the season.
