05 May 2024 18:09:44
Maguire injured in training and out for 3 weeks apparently. Another training injury.
05 May 2024 18:20:58
I think he's been playing injured for quite some time.
05 May 2024 18:21:55
Just posted that. Surely someone has to be looking at our training methods, the amount of muscle injuries is a total joke.
05 May 2024 20:06:39
Does anyone remember that up until a recent point, the length and type of injury was never disclosed?
And now the media machine is in overdrive, things have become a lot more detailed ?.
06 May 2024 07:13:09
Might mean that Louis Jackson gets his chance.
06 May 2024 11:40:33
Other clubs have suffered similar injury issues when they have had a manager trying to introduce a high energy pressing style.
The thought is that you need to increase the players fitness and stamina and the only way to do that is to train at a high level over a long period of time to raise base level fitness.
Teams that have done this have tended to suffer a season of excessive injuries, before the players were conditioned to have the stamina and base fitness required to play a high pressing style.
Given EtH's comments at the start of the season of wanting to turn us into the best transitional team in the world, along with occasional comments about the intensity of training, and our injuries this season it does sound like we are training to raise base fitness and stamina of the squad, which will be contributing to the injuries.
If we are to commit to a high energy, transitional style then these injuries are just part of the growing pains that we will have to endure to get there.
Hopefully next season then players will be better conditioned because of this season and less prone to injuries, while those not suited to that style should hopefully be moved on and replaced with players suited to that style.
Of course that depends on whether the manager will be here next season and that style is the style the new owners/ club structure wants us to play moving forward.
From the outside looking in it looks like EtH tried to introduce this style at the start of last season, but quickly realised he didn't have the players to play it, so he went more pragmatic. Over the summer he looked to make changes to the squad and decided to commit to this style of play. According to the man himself part of his remit when he was hired was to impart this style of play on the squad. Last season they accepted the limitations and a more pragmatic approach, but with the intention of planning for and moving towards this direction this season.
EtH seems to have just followed through with the plan agreed between him and the club. He's taking the short term pain on the chin this season with a view on the long term gains.
It would be a shame if he doesn't get the chance to see through these plans, but if the new club structure doesn't align with this direction then it's best to end things sooner rather than later.
Personally as a fan I prefer a higher energy more transitional style over a slower possession based approach. I feel it's more entertaining to watch and is more closely aligned to the style of play I associate with Manchester United.
Yet that is just my opinion, and ultimately it is the opinion of the new owners and the new people being put in key positions at the club that will ultimately decide the direction of the club. My job as a supporter isn't to fight against it if they don't do what I want, but to support the club in this new direction. Whatever that may be.