New fitness guru

[silverfox]

From the Star............

Robson already believes he is near to one of his most important acquisitions of the season after it emerged Richard Hawkins, West Bromwich Albion's celebrated fitness guru, is the leading contender to replace Tony Daley who left last month.

Robson, who has been linked with moves for Tottenham's Wayne Routledge, Sunderland's Graham Kavanagh and Kevin Kilbane of Wigan Athletic, relieved Daley of his duties after conducting a review of United's off-the-field operations.

Hawkins, who boasts a doctorate and post-graduate degree in sports science from Loughborough University, was recruited by Robson in 2005 after a similar reshuffle of his backroom staff at West Brom.

Previously the deputy head of exercise science at the Football Association, he counts United striker Geoff Horsfield among his biggest supporters after the player credited him with prolonging his career.

 

[jodman]

Is it me or are those qualifications somewhat underwhelming - i would expect any fitness coach to have a doctorate in sports science as a bare minimum.

The horsfield link won't do him any favours either

 

[silverfox]

Bit more on him here.........

http://www.wba.premiumtv.co.uk/page/CoachingStaff/0,,10366~1055410,00.html

 

[RichJay]

Is it me or are those qualifications somewhat underwhelming - i would expect any fitness coach to have a doctorate in sports science as a bare minimum.

The horsfield link won't do him any favours either

I would expect them to have a degree. Not sure a doctorate is essential.

 

[Sensiblade]

I'd expect them to be good at their job and sod Degree's and Doctorates, paperand letters after you name mean nothing if your crap at what you do.

 

[jodman]

I'd expect them to be good at their job and sod Degree's and Doctorates, paperand letters after you name mean nothing if your crap at what you do.

Think this could well spring off topic here but on the same note; would you go to see a doctor if he had never been to medical school?

Perhaps a doctorate for a fitness coach is a bit of a luxury and my original comment was somewhat short sighted; lets hope that fresh ideas will see a marked imporvement in fitness levels.

 

[Robbie]

Perhaps a doctorate for a fitness coach is a bit of a luxury and my original comment was somewhat short sighted; lets hope that fresh ideas will see a marked imporvement in fitness levels.

I don't think it was short sighted at all fella,

I thought this would be required as standard practise...?

Hmmmm unless he was only being a "fitness coach" and no other duties....

 

[Sensiblade]

Think this could well spring off topic here but on the same note; would you go to see a doctor if he had never been to medical school?

Perhaps a doctorate for a fitness coach is a bit of a luxury and my original comment was somewhat short sighted; lets hope that fresh ideas will see a marked imporvement in fitness levels.

He has the qualifications that he needs to do the job, end of. IMO.

 

[RaWW]

Can I ask what the problem was with our teams fitness anyway?

Cos to me we have been one of the fittest squads about for the last few seasons.

When we got promoted we scored lots of goals in the last 5-10 mins due to our superior fitness levels. NW credited that with the work that Daley did.

I've heard that WBA and Boro fans complained about the lack of fitness in their teams under Robson.

I am not happy about this at all, fuck what qualifications he has you don't fix something that ain't broke and our fitness levels are fantastic.

 

[jodman]

Fitness is a difficult thing to gauge, especially from the outside looking in. Robbo has obviously decided that something was not right with the players fitness and so has brought in a replacement.

i'm pretty indifferent to this news to be honest, i thought TD was doing OK but i'm hopeful that the new guy can make a positive impact.


I don't think its the kind of appointment that will make or break our season.

 

[RaWW]

Fitness can be seen quite easily on the pitch.

Our team is full of players who give everything for 90 mins.

Geary
Stretch
Hulse
Monty

to name just 4. The amount of times we score in the last 10 mins of a match. (obviously prem was different due to harder teams to play against) when we got promoted we scored loads of last minute goals due to our fitness.

I just think it's a case of Robson just wanting this guy in when Daley hasn't done nothing wrong.

Daley probably asked him if getting pissed all the time was a good influence on the players. This other guy's probably his drinking partner.

 

[silverfox]

I just think it's a case of Robson just wanting this guy in when Daley hasn't done nothing wrong.

All managers bring in their mates though.

I liked Daley......great player too!

 

[jodman]

All managers bring in their mates though.

This is true, but then i would do exactly the same; its important to trust the people that you are working.

TD obviously didn't do much publicly to warrant losing his job; but the bottom line is that he has gone and i, for one, doubt it will have a negative effect on our season.

 

[jodman]

Fitness can be seen quite easily on the pitch...

...The amount of times we score in the last 10 mins of a match. (obviously prem was different due to harder teams to play against) when we got promoted we scored loads of last minute goals due to our fitness.

I'll make the same point as i made earlier when this discussion first arose; I cant think of many teams that looked less fit then ourselves when we played them last season.

The players that you mention (Monty, Geary, etc) are naturally fit lads that will run all day and i doubt that you will see any kind of drop off now that TD has left.

Fitness is not about scoring last minute goals, it is about being able to perform at the top of your game consistently throughout a season. How many times have we dropped off after xmas in recent times?

 

[RaWW]

That wasn't down to fitness, that was down to bad decision making.

And of course if your fitter than the team you play against it will show more towards the end of a game, and (don't want tot sound like a broken record) when we got promoted we were always getting last minute goals and it was commented on by various people. (commentators ect)

I know what point your trying to get across but I still see no reason what-so-ever to replace Daley.

 

[jodman]

That wasn't down to fitness, that was down to bad decision making.

And of course if your fitter than the team you play against it will show more towards the end of a game, and (don't want tot sound like a broken record) when we got promoted we were always getting last minute goals and it was commented on by various people. (commentators ect)

I know what point your trying to get across but I still see no reason what-so-ever to replace Daley.

I also see your point but i think you are over simplifying to suggest that scoring last minute goals means you are fitter then the opposition.

Middlesborough absolutely battered us at bramall lane last season but jags stole a point for us with a superb last minute equaliser. A 30 yard punt out of nothing; that goal had nothing to do with our fitness levels.

The best thing is to agree to disagree because otherwise we'll continue to go over old ground.

I'll leave it at that because this isn't even a subject i'm that fussed about; i just enjoy the debate.

 

[RaWW]

The best thing is to agree to disagree because otherwise we'll continue to go over old ground. I'll leave it at that because this isn't even a subject i'm that fussed about; i just enjoy the debate

Fair do's.

I just enjoy the debate too, I love it when it gets heated and turns into a mass debate.

Or usually I just call it being bored

 

[silverfox]

Fair do's.

I just enjoy the debate too, I love it when it gets heated and turns into a mass debate.

Or usually I just call it being bored

Dean, you could turn a happy birthday thread into an argument.

 

[RaWW]

Dean, you could turn a happy birthday thread into an argument.

You miss me really

I notice your still adding your threads of no meaning to the site.
Wouldn't be the same without them, you've too much time on your hands!!

 

[silverfox]

Off topic Dean.....how's the little un?

 

[Robbie]

Middlesborough absolutely battered us at bramall lane last season but jags stole a point for us with a superb last minute equaliser. A 30 yard punt out of nothing; that goal had nothing to do with our fitness levels.

Didn't we win that game

 

[jodman]

Didn't we win that game

Right you are.

 

[TonyAgana]

I don't think Jags goal was a "punt out of nothing" at all! We were piling pressure on up until the last kick of the game - I believe that is true testament to good levels of fitness throughout the squad.

 

[RaWW]

Off topic Dean.....how's the little un?

Alright mate, 6 months old on Sunday!!! How time passes by, she's got her Dad's look's as everyone keeps pointing out how gorgeous she is

< That's the sexy bitch there