Can there be any other logic behind staging an event featuring 2 games in 2 days, finishing 3 days before the start of the season? The PR and monetary gain will surely be offset by the increased possibility of a tired squad short on numbers coming up short on Saturday.
Results sacrificed for finance and profile?
- Thread starter Seth
- Start date
Ron Burgundy
SC Supporter
- Jun 19, 2008
- 7,736
- 23,409
Let's be honest, this is absolutely typical of most club's pre-season games these days. Not saying I agree, but slowly building up global profile is an important and remunerative part of running a club these days.
Annoying though
Annoying though
- Thread starter
- #3
I agree with the logic, the timing tho....
Good Doctor M
Well-Known Member
- Aug 31, 2010
- 2,839
- 8,766
Or... the plan is to give as many players as possible a bit of game time against high quality opposition, not enough to tire them, but enough to get them into their natural rythmn so they can come straight out of the blocks against Man Utd.
They've had a good break and fatigue really shouldn't be an issue. Considering the fact that away at Old Trafford is nototiously one of the most difficult fixtures in English football, I think that in many ways this game makes perfect sense. Giving the likes of Erikson, Kane, Verts and all the other starters for OT a good tough hour of football is pretty perfect prep for what is going to be a hard fought game come Saturday.
They've had a good break and fatigue really shouldn't be an issue. Considering the fact that away at Old Trafford is nototiously one of the most difficult fixtures in English football, I think that in many ways this game makes perfect sense. Giving the likes of Erikson, Kane, Verts and all the other starters for OT a good tough hour of football is pretty perfect prep for what is going to be a hard fought game come Saturday.
Donki
Has a "Massive Member" Member
- May 14, 2007
- 14,455
- 18,975
There arent competitive games, I doubt they will be played at any really intense level, I also doubt that anyone who will be in the startign line up will get any more than 45mins a game. It really wont make any difference to us on Sataurday. Only thing to worry about would be injuires, but to be honest they can just be picked up in training.
Last edited:
mpickard2087
Patient Zero
- Jun 13, 2008
- 21,889
- 32,558
Poch would have had them doing double, or even triple, training sessions anyway. I don't really think it massively decreases our (already unfavourable) chances of getting something at Old Trafford anyway.
HotspurFC1950
Well-Known Member
- Feb 6, 2011
- 4,223
- 2,623
We are in a great position for Manure. Glorious underdogs.
- Thread starter
- #10
In response to the above posts....
Matches (even friendlies) are more intense than training (hence the term 'gaining match fitness'), especially against the standard of opposition
A big squad?...Maybe physically big, but not in terms of numbers, especially in attacking areas where the roles are more physically demanding
Writing off fixtures against strong sides is relegation fodder mentality
Gbspurs....The idea that players are overly protected, and that management of their condition is non issue belongs in the 50's. If they can play every game and require no rest, why don't we still have 16 man squads and no subs during games?
Matches (even friendlies) are more intense than training (hence the term 'gaining match fitness'), especially against the standard of opposition
A big squad?...Maybe physically big, but not in terms of numbers, especially in attacking areas where the roles are more physically demanding
Writing off fixtures against strong sides is relegation fodder mentality
Gbspurs....The idea that players are overly protected, and that management of their condition is non issue belongs in the 50's. If they can play every game and require no rest, why don't we still have 16 man squads and no subs during games?
I dont buy this fear that everyone seems to share about too many games too close to the start of the season. In pre-season the players go through a heavy schedule of training to be fit for the start of the season. If we werent playing this week we'd be spending the week playing multiple games in training. At least this way we get to build our brand and expose the kids in the squad to the likes of Real and AC. We will not play our first XI for 90 minutes in both games. We will rotate and give most of the squad maybe 90 minutes over two games. The second half of these games usually slows down to walking pace anyway as teams lose shape with multiple changes.
I would expect us to start with a strong team tonight and then mix it up and start with a second team tomorrow. It isn't as bad as people are making out. Lloris/Vorm Trippier/Walker Toby/Dier Verts/Wimmer Rose/Davies etc. Bar Kane we have a replacement for every player in the squad so plenty to rotate
I would expect us to start with a strong team tonight and then mix it up and start with a second team tomorrow. It isn't as bad as people are making out. Lloris/Vorm Trippier/Walker Toby/Dier Verts/Wimmer Rose/Davies etc. Bar Kane we have a replacement for every player in the squad so plenty to rotate
DanielCHillier
Well-Known Member
- Feb 26, 2014
- 2,036
- 4,029
Even in training I'd assume they'd be playing as many minutes so from a fitness side it shouldn't be an issue. Also I highly doubt the game will be played at full intensity as Madrid certainly wouldn't want any of their stars getting injured, and finally it should be a good challenge for the team tactically and defensively and that can only be a positive.
southlondonyiddo
My eyes have seen some of the glory..
- Nov 8, 2004
- 12,630
- 15,106
Reporter from the Sun said that MP told him Tottenham asked the FA if we could put our fixture with Man U back to the Sunday!!!
Fantastic preparation and as the poster said not very clever and all about money and a bit of profile
Fantastic preparation and as the poster said not very clever and all about money and a bit of profile
- Thread starter
- #16
RM still have 2-3 weeks still start of season (as do AC and Bayern), I'd imagine they'll be looking for intensity to be ideally prepared (which is surely the goal of pre-season)
If having games this close to the start of the season is a good idea, why are we the only PL team doing so?
Doctor Dinkey
Legacy Fan
- Jul 6, 2013
- 3,624
- 8,743
Indeed. If poch had no concerns about the effect these games would have on the team, why would he ask for the game to be rescheduled (I heard this too).
I can't imagine poch will be happy about these games. Watch out for cracks in the relationship between the manager and chairman.
Metalhead
But that's a debate for another thread.....
- Nov 24, 2013
- 25,397
- 38,400
That's just it. I can buy some of the points made on here but if the club did ask for the game against United to be put back (and why on earth would or should the premier league do so?) then it indicates to me that the club has had misgivings about how close these friendlies are to the start of the season.
hellava_tough
Well-Known Member
- Apr 21, 2005
- 9,429
- 12,383
We have a team of professional coaches who get paid a fortune to make sure the lads are match fit come Saturday
I'm sure they'll be okay
I'm sure they'll be okay
