rentaghost
Striker
The only reason people are bleating on about fitness is because if a photo of mcgeady and Maguire in macdonslds (stop the world) and Parkinson bringing in a fitness coach. There is nothing having watched our games that people would’ve picked up without it being highlighted.
This is proven with the ludicrous notion that Maguire doesn’t look fat anymore, he was never fat in first place, it’s people seeing what they want to see.
Look at when di Canio took over from O’Neil and he mentioned fitness, it was absolutely lapped up. Of course it was utter nonsense but people will always believe what they want to believe.
No it isn't mate not at all the McDonalds carry on to me is nothing even if others argue it was symptomatic of a bigger problem. Your second point about Parkinson bringing in a fitness coach is of course a factor as he did that, believe it or not, to improve their fitness on the grounds that they weren't fit enough. Why do you think Parkinson thought it was an issue and brought fitness coaches in on week 1? Last season we didn't really attempt to play a pressing game and we didn't have the pace to play a counter attacking game. We got by because ability wise we were as good as most, we had a great centre forward for half a season, the most creative player in the league who could get something out of nothing and at this level a top quality keeper that had a great season but it masked problems. With regards to Maguire he does get complacent and does let his fitness drop Parkin discussed Maguire last week saying his stats are right up there at the moment and his game, more than most relies on his fitness levels.
We are far from a good side. Player for player we are worse than last year IMO but we make up the difference because there is a beter structure, organisation and fitness to the team. There are teams as good as us in this league and many as fit. But we are capable of playing a pressing game for reasonably sustained periods in games that we couldn't do before.