Nonsense, Conte, they're fit, professionals.

[Hibbyradge]

I used to play 4 times a week, including Saturday and Sunday, and you didn't hear me complaining about being tired.

Sometimes I might have rubbed deep heat on a sore bit, but cold baths and the like were unheard of.

Stop your moaning, Conte (and all the other similarly minded players, coaches and managers). Just tell your players to "man up" and get on with it.

:bitchy:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/sep/27/chelsea-antonio-conte-manchester-city-atletico-madrid?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Copy_to_clipboard

[JohnM1875]

I actually agree with Conte. I don’t think it is enough time to recover and prepare. Especially when you throw in having to travel back to London.

If it was Hibs only getting this amount of time to prepare for one of their biggest games of the season I’d be raging.

[JimBHibees]

I actually agree with Conte. I don’t think it is enough time to recover and prepare. Especially when you throw in having to travel back to London.

If it was Hibs only getting this amount of time to prepare for one of their biggest games of the season I’d be raging.

Agree ridiculous scheduling.

[Michael]

I think there's a difference between playing 4 times a week for fun and playing at the top level of football.

[bingo70]

I think there's a difference between playing 4 times a week for fun and playing at the top level of football.

It's all relative.

If you're playing against other professionals who are also playing 4 times a week then all is fair, if you're playing against other professionals who are only playing once or twice of course they have an advantage.

[Baader]

Two minds on it. But if you compare football to tennis, for example, and the schedules, physical fitness and sacrifices tennis players make then you can't help but think footballers have a relatively easy time of it overall.

[Smartie]

I think there's a difference between playing 4 times a week for fun and playing at the top level of football.

To be fair to Conte, this is poor scheduling.

But with the money he has available, should he not have a strong enough squad to rotate as necessary to keep players fresh?

[Keith_M]

I used to be a Window Cleaner and run up and down ladders 5 days a week, do Taekwondo on the Saturday then play 5's on the Sunday and you never heard me complaining!




Actually, that's not true, I've always been a moaning faced git, but that aside...

[brog]

I tend to agree with the OP, I can remember Hibs playing 3 games in 4 days at New Year. Same 11 players on the park for all 3 games, no subs, gluepots of pitches & playing with cannonballs! Having said that it was a fair (if muddy) playing field in that all teams were doing the same. Conte has a point but he should have made his point much earlier when the fixtures were announced & the EPL really can't complain about TV scheduling. If you sell your soul to the devil!

[blackpoolhibs]

I tend to agree with the OP, I can remember Hibs playing 3 games in 4 days at New Year. Same 11 players on the park for all 3 games, no subs, gluepots of pitches & playing with cannonballs! Having said that it was a fair (if muddy) playing field in that all teams were doing the same. Conte has a point but he should have made his point much earlier when the fixtures were announced & the EPL really can't complain about TV scheduling. If you sell your soul to the devil!

Exactly, and its always the same 4 or 5 managers who moan, yet they have the biggest budgets and best players.

They should try managing further down the food chain to see just how hard it is to really manage.

[lucky]

How can tennis players play for 3 or 4 hours then play again the next day? Conte is wrong and players are pampered

[bingo70]

How can tennis players play for 3 or 4 hours then play again the next day? Conte is wrong and players are pampered

Because they're playing against other players who are in the same boat?

He's not saying the players can't do it, just that it's bound to effect performance, especially if playing against teams that are only playing once or twice a week.

[Liam89]

I can see it from both sides. I think there will be a slight difference in physical fitness when playing at the highest level against opposition who may have had a day or two more rest than your team. However, I think psychologically, managers coming out and saying stuff like this will only make their players feel more tired than they are.

[tamig]

Tennis players have far tougher schedules. Footballers have never earned as much as they do today. They should just get on with it.

[Steve-O]

Can't see how playing on a Wednesday and then a Saturday is a big deal. Happens ALL time! It's Madrid they were at, not Melbourne FFS.

[Sir David Gray]

Can't see how playing on a Wednesday and then a Saturday is a big deal. Happens ALL time! It's Madrid they were at, not Melbourne FFS.

And i'm sure they didn't fly back in economy class either.

[MB62]

[QUOTE=Keekaboo;5179620]I used to be a Window Cleaner and run up and down ladders 5 days a week, do Taekwondo on the Saturday then play 5's on the Sunday and you never heard me complaining![QUOTE]

Bloody luxury.

When I was a Lad.......................................... :greengrin

[greenpaper55]

Tennis players get a seat and a chance to get their breath back after two games so i don't think you can compare the two sports, the level of fitness of top footballers these days is tremendous and you simply cannot keep doing that week in week out without some damage occurring in the long run.

[green day]

Tennis players get a seat and a chance to get their breath back after two games so i don't think you can compare the two sports, the level of fitness of top footballers these days is tremendous and you simply cannot keep doing that week in week out without some damage occurring in the long run.

While I agree that footballers are fit, I dont agree that they are fitter than tennis players (if thats what you mean). Tennis players push it out for 4 hours sometimes, some football players cramp up after extra time.

I think its more reasonable to say they are both conditioned well to their respective sports.

As for Conte, if it was Stoke he was playing, then I agree, but he is playing a team that have also played midweek - dry yer eyes Conte !!

[Ryan69]

I think there's a difference between playing 4 times a week for fun and playing at the top level of football.

Try joining the Army!

You get alot more excercise and less money to recuperate with!

Footballers are generally overpayed primmadonnas.

[Andy74]

While I agree that footballers are fit, I dont agree that they are fitter than tennis players (if thats what you mean). Tennis players push it out for 4 hours sometimes, some football players cramp up after extra time.

I think its more reasonable to say they are both conditioned well to their respective sports.

As for Conte, if it was Stoke he was playing, then I agree, but he is playing a team that have also played midweek - dry yer eyes Conte !!

Tennis players would have the same argument here - scheduling is regularly criticised if other players get rest days when other have had to play through.

Tennis players will also try and win 5 setters in the least amount of sets possible to remain that bit fitter as the tournament progresses. It is recognised that anyone who has played a succession of longer games will be at a disadvantage later on.

[CapitalGreen]

Try joining the Army!

You get alot more excercise and less money to recuperate with!

Footballers are generally overpayed primmadonnas.

Pay Soldiers footballer wages!

[Hibbyradge]

Poe's Law proved again.

[Mikey09]

Nae sympathy from me. Clubs like Chelsea have spent vast amounts not to build a fantastic first 11 but an entire squad of quality to deal with these situations. It's up to Conte to juggle players to win CL games and EPL ones.

[Danderhall Hibs]

They're actually getting more recovery time than Celtic will before our semi final. Good news - waiting on the media clocking this. Imagine the complaints!

[Mantis Toboggan]

I think it's a load of absolute crap. Look at how much money Chelsea make from being in the PL and CL. And they are saying they can't play on a Wednesday and a Saturday? He getting his excuses in early.

[Steve20]

Wednesday to Saturday should be no problem at all. Conte getting his excuses in early.

[Keith_M]

I used to be a Window Cleaner and run up and down ladders 5 days a week, do Taekwondo on the Saturday then play 5's on the Sunday and you never heard me complaining

Bloody luxury.

When I was a Lad.......................................... :greengrin


I sense a Four Yorkshiremen sketch coming up..



:greengrin

[SouthMoroccoStu]

I for one hope Celtic are knackered on Saturday

[MWHIBBIES]

4 games in 8 days is mental and asking for players to get injured. Conte is spot on.

If this was Hibs Lennon would be complaining and rightly so.

[brog]

4 games in 8 days is mental and asking for players to get injured. Conte is spot on.

If this was Hibs Lennon would be complaining and rightly so.

It would be but as it's only 3 games I don't see the problem. 😀

[Brooster]

Getting his excuses in early. Obviously cacking it.

[silverhibee]

How can tennis players play for 3 or 4 hours then play again the next day? Conte is wrong and players are pampered


I'm pretty sure tennis players get a 2 minute break every 2 games they play during the set, and i always thought that they played 1 day and the next day was to rest and practice and back to play the next day, and do tennis players not get something like a 3 month break from the sport, some top football players who play at the highest level will have to play for the club and get 10 days off and they are away for international duty in the summer and it's straight back to club for pre season, I don't think players are pampered, paid to much, yes, but not pampered.

[silverhibee]

Tennis players have far tougher schedules. Footballers have never earned as much as they do today. They should just get on with it.

Players do get on with it, it's the managers who are complaining.

[Haymaker]

Players do get on with it, it's the managers who are complaining.

Players love to play, it's managers who have to deal with injury hit squads which may have affected their employment.

[blackpoolhibs]

I'm pretty sure tennis players get a 2 minute break every 2 games they play during the set, and i always thought that they played 1 day and the next day was to rest and practice and back to play the next day, and do tennis players not get something like a 3 month break from the sport, some top football players who play at the highest level will have to play for the club and get 10 days off and they are away for international duty in the summer and it's straight back to club for pre season, I don't think players are pampered, paid to much, yes, but not pampered.

They do, what they don't have is a replacement they can bring in to take his shots when they are tired. :greengrin

[silverhibee]

They do, what they don't have is a replacement they can bring in to take his shots when they are tired. :greengrin

But when they get tired they can always call on the pee break to take during sets to have a wee rest. :greengrin

[silverhibee]

Players love to play, it's managers who have to deal with injury hit squads which may have affected their employment.

Of course they do, and managers need there top players to perform in every game, most managers have played the game and know how hard it is to keep up the levels players need playing every game, some folk seem to think it's a easy thing to do, as you will know, it's not.

[Bostonhibby]

Rub a bit of deep heat on their bollox and tell them to get on with it, I agree.

It's a man's game, it's only man City they're playing. When I were a lad we used to play football continuously for 24 hours at a time. All we had to eat was chewing tobacco, ball was made out of a cows udder filled with gravel and our boots were made of old orange boxes.

Southern softies the lot of them. You'd think they were being paid billions by TV companies to agree to the scheduling.

Sent from my SM-J320FN using Tapatalk

[silverhibee]

While I agree that footballers are fit, I dont agree that they are fitter than tennis players (if thats what you mean). Tennis players push it out for 4 hours sometimes, some football players cramp up after extra time.

I think its more reasonable to say they are both conditioned well to their respective sports.

As for Conte, if it was Stoke he was playing, then I agree, but he is playing a team that have also played midweek - dry yer eyes Conte !!

:agree:

[blackpoolhibs]

Has anyone got the stats on how many actual games these poor cherubs are being asked to play over the course of a season?

[LaMotta]

It would be but as it's only 3 games I don't see the problem. 😀

Neither do I.

And the reason the game is on Saturday? Because BT Sport chose it for their Sat night TV slot.

If only EPL clubs received some kind of financial windfall for this to compensate them for such TV scheduling annoyances......

[MWHIBBIES]

It would be but as it's only 3 games I don't see the problem. 😀Sorry, was reading another piece earlier on about Arsenal possibly having 4 in 8.

[Hibernia&Alba]

Top level professionals and clubs with international squads should be more than able to play Wednesday-Saturday. They've only been to Madrid and back. Man United have had a round trip to Russia and play on Saturday. That's the consequence of playing in Europe.

[Thecat23]

Pay Soldiers footballer wages!

Not being cheeky but why? You’d get every man and their dog joining the army/navy etc.

Same when folk say footballers don’t deserve it nurses do. Yes we all know that’s true but a nurse knows what the money is before going the NHS as does firemen and so on.

Footballers are overpaid no doubt about it nurses and the rest are underpaid but that’s life. Football is where the money is and if good and lucky enough then I say get the most money you can out the game.

[brog]

I'm pretty sure tennis players get a 2 minute break every 2 games they play during the set, and i always thought that they played 1 day and the next day was to rest and practice and back to play the next day, and do tennis players not get something like a 3 month break from the sport, some top football players who play at the highest level will have to play for the club and get 10 days off and they are away for international duty in the summer and it's straight back to club for pre season, I don't think players are pampered, paid to much, yes, but not pampered.


There's a few major differences between footballers & tennis players. To win a tennis major you need to play & win 7 matches in 13 or 14 days. These matches will average between 3 & 4 hours meaning the winner will play for about a full day in total. The other major difference is the tennis player is the only person playing all the time he's on court. The ball is only in play for about 60% of a football match & only a few players are involved in some phases of the game in that time. TBF to our cherished & underpaid footballers (I'm talking England here) no one's going around tripping, kicking or elbowing tennis players. Both sports demand great skill & fitness but I genuinely doubt if there's ever been a Scottish footballer with the fitness & dedication of Andy Murray.

[Mikey09]

There's a few major differences between footballers & tennis players. To win a tennis major you need to play & win 7 matches in 13 or 14 days. These matches will average between 3 & 4 hours meaning the winner will play for about a full day in total. The other major difference is the tennis player is the only person playing all the time he's on court. The ball is only in play for about 60% of a football match & only a few players are involved in some phases of the game in that time. TBF to our cherished & underpaid footballers (I'm talking England here) no one's going around tripping, kicking or elbowing tennis players. Both sports demand great skill & fitness but I genuinely doubt if there's ever been a Scottish footballer with the fitness & dedication of Andy Murray.


....is the correct answer! Close thread! :greengrin

[Forza Fred]

Can't see how playing on a Wednesday and then a Saturday is a big deal. Happens ALL time! It's Madrid they were at, not Melbourne FFS.

I'mflying doon to Melbourne from Sydney for The Australia Hibs 30th anniversary celebration in a fortnight.

Pretty sure I'll need a few days of recovery after that......:wink:

[Forza Fred]

There's a few major differences between footballers & tennis players. To win a tennis major you need to play & win 7 matches in 13 or 14 days. These matches will average between 3 & 4 hours meaning the winner will play for about a full day in total. The other major difference is the tennis player is the only person playing all the time he's on court. The ball is only in play for about 60% of a football match & only a few players are involved in some phases of the game in that time. TBF to our cherished & underpaid footballers (I'm talking England here) no one's going around tripping, kicking or elbowing tennis players. Both sports demand great skill & fitness but I genuinely doubt if there's ever been a Scottish footballer with the fitness & dedication of Andy Murray.

Eric Shaedler?

[jacomo]

I actually agree with Conte. I don’t think it is enough time to recover and prepare. Especially when you throw in having to travel back to London.

If it was Hibs only getting this amount of time to prepare for one of their biggest games of the season I’d be raging.


:agree:

He's saying they have a day less than their opponents to prepare for the match, putting them at a *relative* disadvantage.

[Skol]

Play the game on Sunday and they still have a day less

[Hibbyradge]

Eric Shaedler?

Eric was extremely fit, but that was compared to 60's and 70's footballers.

I would think modern day players are a lot fitter then Eric was.

[MWHIBBIES]

There's a few major differences between footballers & tennis players. To win a tennis major you need to play & win 7 matches in 13 or 14 days. These matches will average between 3 & 4 hours meaning the winner will play for about a full day in total. The other major difference is the tennis player is the only person playing all the time he's on court. The ball is only in play for about 60% of a football match & only a few players are involved in some phases of the game in that time. TBF to our cherished & underpaid footballers (I'm talking England here) no one's going around tripping, kicking or elbowing tennis players. Both sports demand great skill & fitness but I genuinely doubt if there's ever been a Scottish footballer with the fitness & dedication of Andy Murray.Darren Fletcher used to run for 90 minutes against the best players in the world. His injury obviously changed that but he was extremely fit before then

[Andy74]

There's a few major differences between footballers & tennis players. To win a tennis major you need to play & win 7 matches in 13 or 14 days. These matches will average between 3 & 4 hours meaning the winner will play for about a full day in total. The other major difference is the tennis player is the only person playing all the time he's on court. The ball is only in play for about 60% of a football match & only a few players are involved in some phases of the game in that time. TBF to our cherished & underpaid footballers (I'm talking England here) no one's going around tripping, kicking or elbowing tennis players. Both sports demand great skill & fitness but I genuinely doubt if there's ever been a Scottish footballer with the fitness & dedication of Andy Murray.

That's a bit like saying Usain Bolt didn't have to be that fit because he only runs for less than 10 seconds every so often.

Different needs for different sports.

[jgl07]

Conte has a big squad. He should use it.

Other teams have to cope with fixture congestion including Celtic who have two and a half hours less to recover from Wednesday fixtures.