“Levels of fitness they’ve not known before”

***Carheenlea*** · 13-07-2019 06:37 PM

Paul Heckingbottom made comment prior to pre season training that one big aspect would be the players being pushed towards a level of fitness they hadn’t reached before.
At half time today I expected to see evidence of this in the second period, and our full time status coupled with the new fitness regime would see us stretch away from Stirling Albion as they wilted in the sun. It was quite alarming that this wasn’t to be the case, and even without any extra attention given to fitness, we should have looked streets ahead in that regard anyway. Early days and nothing like what we would claim to be a strongest line up, but still expected better than what I viewed this afternoon.

**~~Speedway~~** · 13-07-2019 06:41 PM

The manager’s just saying stuff.

***Jim44*** · 13-07-2019 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by Carheenlea

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Paul Heckingbottom made comment prior to pre season training that one big aspect would be the players being pushed towards a level of fitness they hadn’t reached before.
At half time today I expected to see evidence of this in the second period, and our full time status coupled with the new fitness regime would see us stretch away from Stirling Albion as they wilted in the sun. It was quite alarming that this wasn’t to be the case, and even without any extra attention given to fitness, we should have looked streets ahead in that regard anyway. Early days and nothing like what we would claim to be a strongest line up, but still expected better than what I viewed this afternoon.

........ so you’re a kind of ‘happy bed-wetter’.

**coco22** · 13-07-2019 06:47 PM

This quote jumped into my head during previous friendlies (2nd halves) and again today. Need to get fitter and stronger very quickly - again, this could happen when ‘things come together’! Optimistic that what PH says will come to fruition. Bloody hope so!

**~~The_Horde~~** · 13-07-2019 06:47 PM

Originally Posted by Carheenlea

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Paul Heckingbottom made comment prior to pre season training that one big aspect would be the players being pushed towards a level of fitness they hadn’t reached before.
At half time today I expected to see evidence of this in the second period, and our full time status coupled with the new fitness regime would see us stretch away from Stirling Albion as they wilted in the sun. It was quite alarming that this wasn’t to be the case, and even without any extra attention given to fitness, we should have looked streets ahead in that regard anyway. Early days and nothing like what we would claim to be a strongest line up, but still expected better than what I viewed this afternoon.

Could be that they're being worked so hard during pre season that they're not as fresh as they would normally be during the matches?

**~~The 90+2~~** · 13-07-2019 06:48 PM

Collins said the same I’m sure as did Calderwood.

**B.H.F.C** · 13-07-2019 06:49 PM

Posted this quote on the match thread. Horgan, in particular, was absolutely burst at the end.

He also spoke about how we were going to press from the front and play with power. I didn’t see any evidence of that today, or in any of the friendlies. At this stage of the year it would be daft to expect everything to be perfect, but I thought the way Heckingbottom spoke we’d have a very clear way of playing. I’m not seeing it yet, at all.

**Foritza** · 13-07-2019 06:55 PM

Originally Posted by Jim44

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........ so you’re a kind of ‘happy bed-wetter’.

Where you there today? If so what was your opinion of how, team, Players and formation
shaped up?

***H18 SFR*** · 13-07-2019 06:55 PM

The alarm bells are ringing a little, I really hope the guy isn't a slaver.

***matty_f*** · 13-07-2019 06:58 PM

Surely the time to judge this will be when the season starts? Assuming that it rashes time to build up to a peak level of fitness.

Anyone that knows me will know that I’m not an expert on peak levels of fitness, so I’m happy for a fitness expert to be able to put me right and say that the work should be evident immediately.

**vercol36** · 13-07-2019 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by H18 SFR

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The alarm bells are ringing a little, I really hope the guy isn't a slaver.

Agreed, the ‘fitness’ statement is a worrying one. It should e fairly obvious that players at a Premiership club should be operating at a certain level of fitness

**~~The_Horde~~** · 13-07-2019 07:01 PM

Originally Posted by matty_f

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Surely the time to judge this will be when the season starts? Assuming that it rashes time to build up to a peak level of fitness.

Anyone that knows me will know that I’m not an expert on peak levels of fitness, so I’m happy for a fitness expert to be able to put me right and say that the work should be evident immediately.

Pretty much this. They're currently smack bang in the middle of the process, there will be tired legs.

**smack** · 13-07-2019 07:01 PM

Originally Posted by matty_f

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Surely the time to judge this will be when the season starts? Assuming that it rashes time to build up to a peak level of fitness.

Anyone that knows me will know that I’m not an expert on peak levels of fitness, so I’m happy for a fitness expert to be able to put me right and say that the work should be evident immediately.

The season started today

**B.H.F.C** · 13-07-2019 07:02 PM

Originally Posted by matty_f

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Surely the time to judge this will be when the season starts? Assuming that it rashes time to build up to a peak level of fitness.

Anyone that knows me will know that I’m not an expert on peak levels of fitness, so I’m happy for a fitness expert to be able to put me right and say that the work should be evident immediately.

I kind of get where you’re coming from. But the season started today. And we were very, very lethargic against a part time side.

***Scouse Hibee*** · 13-07-2019 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by Carheenlea

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Paul Heckingbottom made comment prior to pre season training that one big aspect would be the players being pushed towards a level of fitness they hadn’t reached before.
At half time today I expected to see evidence of this in the second period, and our full time status coupled with the new fitness regime would see us stretch away from Stirling Albion as they wilted in the sun. It was quite alarming that this wasn’t to be the case, and even without any extra attention given to fitness, we should have looked streets ahead in that regard anyway. Early days and nothing like what we would claim to be a strongest line up, but still expected better than what I viewed this afternoon.

You hear the fitness comment far too often from new managers, they would have you believe that professional footballers at clubs with all types of fitness coaches, reputable managers, and a professional set up are as unfit as hell until they arrived, or not up to their fitness standards, it's a load of crap and said to make them sound as if their standards are at some supreme level. Utter tosh.

**Foritza** · 13-07-2019 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by H18 SFR

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The alarm bells are ringing a little, I really hope the guy isn't a slaver.

He will like all managers be judged on results . You can talk all you want but if the team he puts out does not perform or get results , There is only one outcome.

***matty_f*** · 13-07-2019 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by smack

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The season started today

The league season, unless we are expecting players to get to be found levels of fitness in just a couple weeks?

**DetroitHibs** · 13-07-2019 07:10 PM

We played against a bunch of part timers that train 2-3 times a week and don’t have anywhere near the facilities as us. Fitness wise we should be miles ahead of them. Didn’t show.

**RossScott1991** · 13-07-2019 07:11 PM

It’s more the lack of seeing the team ‘pressing’ that’s worrying. Genuinely thought this was going to be the main change and see a fit team chasing high up the pitch. But I see little change tbh

***Carheenlea*** · 13-07-2019 07:12 PM

Originally Posted by Foritza

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Where you there today? If so what was your opinion of how, team, Players and formation
shaped up?

Jim’s a friend of mine and spoke to him before I left - just a bit of friendly joshing.

***Carheenlea*** · 13-07-2019 07:19 PM

Originally Posted by matty_f

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The league season, unless we are expecting players to get to be found levels of fitness in just a couple weeks?

Originally Posted by DetroitHibs

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We played against a bunch of part timers that train 2-3 times a week and don’t have anywhere near the facilities as us. Fitness wise we should be miles ahead of them. Didn’t show.

DetroitHibs pretty much sums up the point of my OP - and others have commented on the bluster new managers give about “upping fitness levels”, but the bottom line is it shouldn’t be unreasonable to expect to see a gulf in fitness and athleticism between Hibs and Stirling Albion, even at this early stage of the season. Hopefully it will come.

***Jim44*** · 13-07-2019 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by Foritza

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Where you there today? If so what was your opinion of how, team, Players and formation
shaped up?

God knows how a tongue in cheek comment prompts your unnecessary response. Lighten up, mate.

**MikeyS** · 13-07-2019 07:54 PM

Originally Posted by Carheenlea

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Paul Heckingbottom made comment prior to pre season training that one big aspect would be the players being pushed towards a level of fitness they hadn’t reached before.
At half time today I expected to see evidence of this in the second period, and our full time status coupled with the new fitness regime would see us stretch away from Stirling Albion as they wilted in the sun. It was quite alarming that this wasn’t to be the case, and even without any extra attention given to fitness, we should have looked streets ahead in that regard anyway. Early days and nothing like what we would claim to be a strongest line up, but still expected better than what I viewed this afternoon.

I wasnt there today but did we really look unfit or are we just pish? Think a lot of fans seem to get these things mixed up a fair bit. Always the go to excuse when we are going through a bad spell, when the reality is we are t as foos as the opponent. Not that that should've been the issue today however.

***wookie70*** · 13-07-2019 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by B.H.F.C

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Posted this quote on the match thread. Horgan, in particular, was absolutely burst at the end.

He also spoke about how we were going to press from the front and play with power. I didn’t see any evidence of that today, or in any of the friendlies. At this stage of the year it would be daft to expect everything to be perfect, but I thought the way Heckingbottom spoke we’d have a very clear way of playing. I’m not seeing it yet, at all.

That is my worry. It's fairly hard to even work out what formation we are playing in. Allen is way too advanced for my liking so get little of the ball and Mallan is far too far back. Horgan had every right to be burst though as he was one of the few players, for me, that got pass marks for effort. Doidge worked hard as did Campbell but the rest looked like they had rolled out of bed after a session the night before. Going through the motions is not something I pay my hard earned for. I accept we will lose and can even take that we might lump it long but most of that team today could have worked far harder. I'm clinging to the hope that they have worked so hard in pre-season they are flagging and it is all part of the masterplan. If that is the case then Newell has definitely worked the hardest in pre-season as he looked completely knackered in terms of effort and attitude. Early days yet and at least Heck has told us what the plan is. Hopefully, it works out but he is heaping pressure on himself and new signings resting half a team and not getting a result

**Foritza** · 13-07-2019 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by wookie70

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That is my worry. It's fairly hard to even work out what formation we are playing in. Allen is way too advanced for my liking so get little of the ball and Mallan is far too far back. Horgan had every right to be burst though as he was one of the few players, for me, that got pass marks for effort. Doidge worked hard as did Campbell but the rest looked like they had rolled out of bed after a session the night before. Going through the motions is not something I pay my hard earned for. I accept we will lose and can even take that we might lump it long but most of that team today could have worked far harder. I'm clinging to the hope that they have worked so hard in pre-season they are flagging and it is all part of the masterplan. If that is the case then Newell has definitely worked the hardest in pre-season as he looked completely knackered in terms of effort and attitude. Early days yet and at least Heck has told us what the plan is. Hopefully, it works out but he is heaping pressure on himself and new signings resting half a team and not getting a result

Accurate and balanced report Nookie, Time will tell. And no my bedsheet' s are dry before any of you one liners behind your Keyboard have a rant without a valid discussion.

***JohnM1875*** · 13-07-2019 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by B.H.F.C

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Posted this quote on the match thread. Horgan, in particular, was absolutely burst at the end.

He also spoke about how we were going to press from the front and play with power. I didn’t see any evidence of that today, or in any of the friendlies. At this stage of the year it would be daft to expect everything to be perfect, but I thought the way Heckingbottom spoke we’d have a very clear way of playing. I’m not seeing it yet, at all.

I'm actually a massive Horgan fan, but the guy is usually burst by the 60 minute mark if he starts. If he finished the game today that's an improvement!

I missed today's game but seen the rest of pre-season and I totally agree about not seeing this style of play the manager said we'd implement though.

**SideBurns** · 13-07-2019 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by matty_f

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The league season, unless we are expecting players to get to be found levels of fitness in just a couple weeks?

The season started today - it's not just about the league, this cup is one of only two we can win.

It started for Stirling Albion today too.

**~~loanheadhibby~~** · 13-07-2019 08:43 PM

Season started today regardless of what anyone says or thinks. Our players are professional athletes. You're not telling me that they've lost all fitness since mid May? Have they not been ticking over during their rest period? If not, why not?

**~~The_Horde~~** · 13-07-2019 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by loanheadhibby

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Season started today regardless of what anyone says or thinks. Our players are professional athletes. You're not telling me that they've lost all fitness since mid May? Have they not been ticking over during their rest period? If not, why not?

They've maybe not. If Heckingbottom is treating these as pre season games then it's not unusual for them to have trained this morning on top of their work this week.

That might be why they look leggy.