SwissBlade
Well-Known Member
i know you can never read too much into approaches of managers, what works for one, doesn't for another. We also don't know what Adkins is like at half time.
We've seen how Adkins likes to analyse data and what they use in matches and trainings with the GPS vests. But did he only use this at Old Trafford? Is he using this data in isolation 'post match'? How can he not see that his players are tiring in key positions?
I thought I'd chuck some other things as well:
- Wigan were out early and were working with the coach doing drills to get them warm again.
- SUFC came out late and the players looked mostly like they were strolling out. Sharp and I think Edgar came out and did a couple of token sprints.
- Some of Our players were cramping up, Hammond and Baxter notably.
- Three player changes - Sammon, Baxter, Basham all going off for Adams, Done and JCR. Can't comment on the latter as that was my key to leave, but the other two should've added energy. This didn't really happen.
There is clearly an issue at United and in the past, at this time in the season we've been fitter than most teams, fitness looks a massive point. We need energy on the pitch late on. We didn't get it even though we brought on three players with pace and energy
Fitness for the role- Adams looks extremely bulky, it's fine for Sammon and sharp to be bulky as they are playing a hold up role, but Adams (and Baxter) played a role requiring pace and stamina in the second half.
Player selection - Basham, unless he was carrying a knock shouldn't have gone off at the expense of Hammond. Hammond was clearly fooked and his booking proved how tired he was looking.
Heart Rates and going into recovery - Unless the players are sitting on spin bikes at halftime working in zone 1-2, doing stretches and having rub downs whilst Adkins talks tactics, the 15-20mins rest puts them into recovery mode, they need to keep their heart rates up during this time or bring them back up, Wigan were doing this with their warm up for second half.
Nutrition and hydration - whilst Baxter, Adams and Hammond are probably not on the right nutrition plans (diets) to last more than an hour, were Baxter and Hammond getting the right levels of electrolyte at half time? Seems not if they're cramping. A banana and an energy drink at half time should be enough to stave off cramp.
Second half preparation - one thing which changed at United a few years ago was seeing the cones out on the touch line prior to kick off and at half time, the players doing drills - sprints, turns, high knees - all high intensity to get blood flowing, remove the lactate from the legs and get the heart rates back up. Not sure when this stopped and why?
Subs - a few long sprints, stretches and chats with other subs, followed by a jog and sprint back to halfway, then strip down for coming on. We have 4-5 non playing staff on the bench, why are they not getting subs warmed up properly? Personally I'd have them on a spin bike on the touch line from half time getting them slowly getting their legs and bodies warmed up...
As I've said before, I'm far from an expert, but the above is very puzzling especially given that Adkins came in with the intent of getting our players fitter
We've seen how Adkins likes to analyse data and what they use in matches and trainings with the GPS vests. But did he only use this at Old Trafford? Is he using this data in isolation 'post match'? How can he not see that his players are tiring in key positions?
I thought I'd chuck some other things as well:
- Wigan were out early and were working with the coach doing drills to get them warm again.
- SUFC came out late and the players looked mostly like they were strolling out. Sharp and I think Edgar came out and did a couple of token sprints.
- Some of Our players were cramping up, Hammond and Baxter notably.
- Three player changes - Sammon, Baxter, Basham all going off for Adams, Done and JCR. Can't comment on the latter as that was my key to leave, but the other two should've added energy. This didn't really happen.
There is clearly an issue at United and in the past, at this time in the season we've been fitter than most teams, fitness looks a massive point. We need energy on the pitch late on. We didn't get it even though we brought on three players with pace and energy
Fitness for the role- Adams looks extremely bulky, it's fine for Sammon and sharp to be bulky as they are playing a hold up role, but Adams (and Baxter) played a role requiring pace and stamina in the second half.
Player selection - Basham, unless he was carrying a knock shouldn't have gone off at the expense of Hammond. Hammond was clearly fooked and his booking proved how tired he was looking.
Heart Rates and going into recovery - Unless the players are sitting on spin bikes at halftime working in zone 1-2, doing stretches and having rub downs whilst Adkins talks tactics, the 15-20mins rest puts them into recovery mode, they need to keep their heart rates up during this time or bring them back up, Wigan were doing this with their warm up for second half.
Nutrition and hydration - whilst Baxter, Adams and Hammond are probably not on the right nutrition plans (diets) to last more than an hour, were Baxter and Hammond getting the right levels of electrolyte at half time? Seems not if they're cramping. A banana and an energy drink at half time should be enough to stave off cramp.
Second half preparation - one thing which changed at United a few years ago was seeing the cones out on the touch line prior to kick off and at half time, the players doing drills - sprints, turns, high knees - all high intensity to get blood flowing, remove the lactate from the legs and get the heart rates back up. Not sure when this stopped and why?
Subs - a few long sprints, stretches and chats with other subs, followed by a jog and sprint back to halfway, then strip down for coming on. We have 4-5 non playing staff on the bench, why are they not getting subs warmed up properly? Personally I'd have them on a spin bike on the touch line from half time getting them slowly getting their legs and bodies warmed up...
As I've said before, I'm far from an expert, but the above is very puzzling especially given that Adkins came in with the intent of getting our players fitter