It is noticeable this season how few injuries our players are sustaining and, when they do get injured, how quickly they come back. There are exceptions to this, but as well as having depth in the squad, we have not had the kind of devastating injuries to key players we had last season. Losing Rodrigo and Adams and seeing Sinisterra out of action for most of the season were, I think, significant factors in our relegation.
This season, we see players like DJ and Cree getting the $hit kicked out of them week after week. DJ also has a punishing international schedule and yet they both seem to come back for more. Ampadu also gets battered. He plays internationals and is an ever-present in the team. Archie Gray? All that talk about resting him seems to evaporate every time he puts in a commanding performance and even our concerns about over-playing Sam Byram seem unfounded.
Is it something the medical team are doing that improves players' recovery times, or are we seeing more resistance training that reduces the likelihood/severity of injuries? Or is it simply a case of Farke creating a team ethos that everyone wants to be a part of, so players fight harder to stay fit, and stay on the pitch?
It does make me think about the mentality of players we brought in, particularly last season, who were probably, physically, not cut out for English football. Roca and Aaronsen in particular looked flimsy. Arguably, Marsch's style of football led to more injuries, as he promoted an aggressive runnning game. Whatever it is, the willingness of this team to work together and to play every week is wonderful to see.
We have brought in some skilful, solid pros and the results speak for themselves. Just so long as they all stay fit, we'll be fine.
Injuries
posted on 7/12/23
interesting question and good article.
remember similar discussion in the Bielsa years and the burn out questions.
its hard to say for sure ref the question in your article, I doubt its something to do with the medical team I mean surely highley paid professional medics know what they are doing regardless.
one thing is for sure if you don't train or eat or rest correctly you will pick up injuries, and during the Beilsa years I always thought this excessive fitness regime could catch up to some of the players at some point.
its a fine balance tho, not criticising Bielsa as such... the thing is its also a fact that the more you train the fitter you become.
I guess this is why sports scientists at football clubs are needed. so maybe not the medical team, maybe we have some sports scientist forcing people into suana's - "Macrello not here anymore lads, have a sit down pal "
posted on 7/12/23
Notice how little protection Summerville in particular seems to get from referees in this division, time and time again he gets hacked down and often it's the only way to stop him.
Is it always the way with the more skillful players, cannot say I have ever noticed before, maybe it's because he's a one off.
I wonder whether part of training is to anticipate what a defender at this level is likely to do and therefore prevent himself getting injured.
posted on 7/12/23
Yeah injuries are definitely down on previous regimes. Then again, we have less injury prone players involved in the starting 11 now i.e Firpo, Sini, Cooper, Bamford, Geldhart. We have a sturdy bunch.
posted on 8/12/23
Yep, good points. Also just listened to DF’s pre-Blackburn presser, he was asked about our excellent disciplinary record so far (essentially keeping more players readily available) and DF stated that discipline was one of his strongest values in the squad👍