Mariners 2017/2018- The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

[Insertnamehere]

We can only spend on a proven striker I think and we need better than what we have. That would be a very optimistic assessment when it comes to Gibbs.

As compared to Lujic is what I was offering.
Id take a 45yo Mark Viduka atm.... (sorry to Dukes I dont actually know how old he is)

 

[Ozhammer]

We can only spend on a proven striker I think and we need better than what we have. That would be a very optimistic assessment when it comes to Gibbs.

I hear ya FP but if there are no other genuine options, what would we have to lose by offering him and/or someone like Mallia a short-term minimum wage deal to the end of the season? Whilst they may not be headline-worthy, they’d both be hungry and could prove to be worthy of a longer deal.

 

[Big Al]

I hear ya FP but if there are no other genuine options, what would we have to lose by offering him and/or someone like Mallia a short-term minimum wage deal to the end of the season? Whilst they may not be headline-worthy, they’d both be hungry and could prove to be worthy of a longer deal.

We’ve already got thst kind of player in Skapetis

 

[Forum Phoenix]

I hear ya FP but if there are no other genuine options, what would we have to lose by offering him and/or someone like Mallia a short-term minimum wage deal to the end of the season? Whilst they may not be headline-worthy, they’d both be hungry and could prove to be worthy of a longer deal.

I always liked Mallia, but as above with what Big Al said, I'd say in Skapetis and also in Bingham and Trent we have some unproven options upfront, and I really don't see Gibbs or Mallia going past them in the pecking order tbh...

Though I really do share the sense of desperation as well.

 

[Ancient Mariner]

Agree, we have enough back up posibilities. If we sign a striker it has to be a quality (at least 12/season) one.

 

[Insertnamehere]

I think some of the behind the scenes issues are avoidable with better decisions by the coaching staff. By that I mean;

a) Paolo goes on record on last week’s podcast by saying he only manages to find time for 25 minutes of tactical work each week. Why FFS? Surely match fitness levels should be at peak this far into the season (barring players who have been injured or bought into the team late), so training should be about conditioning and tactics, with tactical work surely being at least as important as the conditioning if not more so.

b) From my understanding there is a drinking culture within some of the younger playing group, which is quite significant. Surely Paolo needs to addres this, assuming that he is aware of it, as it has to affect player performance to to some degree. As I understood it, Arnie had a strict no drinking policy in-season, so why doesn’t Paolo? PGFC has a similar issue by all accounts and look how they are travelling, it ain’t rocket science people.

c) Failure to at least spend the salary cap is a false economy and will more often than not lead to the team never truly being able to go on to glory unless the moneyball approach just happens to deliver one time in a hundred (if you’re extremely lucky). We all appreciate that MC is not in a position to tip stacks of money into the club but to repeatedly spend the absolute minimum and expect it to work is nuts. IIRC Shaun went on record in pre-season saying the cap would be spent this time, which could be argued as fraudulent representation in light of subsequent disclosures. Why should fans be asked to shell out their hard-earned year after year when the owner isn’t even spending the cap on the playing roster?

In reference to Part A, I believe you'll find the likes of Mourinho have formulated their training so as to incorporate tactical and conditioning sessions into one. Obviously there are times when it needs to be slow to start but it should always finish supramaximally. Im almost certain Mourinho did a Masters thesis into this.

 

[TedShot]

I think some of the behind the scenes issues are avoidable with better decisions by the coaching staff. By that I mean;

a) Paolo goes on record on last week’s podcast by saying he only manages to find time for 25 minutes of tactical work each week. Why FFS? Surely match fitness levels should be at peak this far into the season (barring players who have been injured or bought into the team late), so training should be about conditioning and tactics, with tactical work surely being at least as important as the conditioning if not more so.

Also with regards to part a, I follow a lot of the guys on instagram and have noticed that they tend to be playing golf/hanging out on a beach/at fancy restaurants on a monday and tuesday. Paulo also said he gives them monday or tuesday (or something to that effect) so these guys realistically only train three days a week? Surely professional athletes don't need that much rest/time off. Weightlifters allow themselves a days rest between heavy workouts, id assume even after a sunday night game the boys would be more than fine enough to get to training on a tuesday...

he could always caddy for hoole during his tuesday golf and find 25 mins there.

 

[Insertnamehere]

Also with regards to part a, I follow a lot of the guys on instagram and have noticed that they tend to be playing golf/hanging out on a beach/at fancy restaurants on a monday and tuesday. Paulo also said he gives them monday or tuesday (or something to that effect) so these guys realistically only train three days a week? Surely professional athletes don't need that much rest/time off. Weightlifters allow themselves a days rest between heavy workouts, id assume even after a sunday night game the boys would be more than fine enough to get to training on a tuesday...

he could always caddy for hoole during his tuesday golf and find 25 mins there.

Depends where they are in the season, pre-season I'd expect they'd be doing maybe 5d/wk. In season it really should just be about maintenance and adjustments so 3 d/wk should be sufficient. Should, being the operative word. Anyone who is behind in fitness or tactics might do extras or have an adjusted program.
Weightlifting is a vastly different thing but they also don't smash themselves in season.

 

[TedShot]

Anyone who is behind in fitness or tactics might do extras or have an adjusted program.
Weightlifting is a vastly different thing but they also don't smash themselves in season.

Yeah i get that, was just looking for a comparison of "these guys destroy their bodies and still only need a day off between, why do football players need two days"

I could understand a team in form and at the top only needing 3 day week, but I think for us it wouldn't hurt to add in another half day to talk tactics/shooting practice. " Not being able to find 25 minutes" sounds like a poor excuse.

 

[Timmah]

I'd be really surprised if there weren't good systems in place amongst the football dept to ensure players are fit and firing.

 

[Ozhammer]

I'd be really surprised if there weren't good systems in place amongst the football dept to ensure players are fit and firing.

Fit maybe, but firing? Not so sure tbh...

 

[Forum Phoenix]

Don't believe they would be training 3 days per week?

I expect it would be six days total. Four training while alternating/managing their work loads - day four being light/technical/tactical leading into game day, then day after game day a light recovery session in the morning followed by analysis session in the afternoon, and then the one full day off. Less than this and I'd be very surprised. Only in season for less than half a year.

 

[Wombat]

We do Analysis???

 

[BrisRecky]

I always liked Mallia, but as above with what Big Al said, I'd say in Skapetis and also in Bingham and Trent we have some unproven options upfront, and I really don't see Gibbs or Mallia going past them in the pecking order tbh...

Though I really do share the sense of desperation as well.

Sense of Desperation ...I dig ya FP.....although I think Bingham has ran out of chances to prove his an up front option, quite possibly has the worse case of goal blindness Ive ever seen, even worse than Kwabi...

 

[bikinigirl]

Sense of Desperation ...I dig ya FP.....although I think Bingham has ran out of chances to prove his an up front option, quite possibly has the worse case of goal blindness Ive ever seen, even worse than Kwabi...

. say what you like about not making the most of opportunities, etc ... but Bingers hasn't really been given chances 'up front' ... i'm not surprised the guy looks shit as a winger, because he is not a winger (and that is where Okon insists on playing him when he makes a cameo)

 

[Wombat]

. say what you like about not making the most of opportunities, etc ... but Bingers hasn't really been given chances 'up front' ... i'm not surprised the guy looks shit as a winger, because he is not a winger (and that is where Okon insists on playing him when he makes a cameo)

Maybe this is the first time ive ever disagreed with you BG but he had 2 or 3 game as CF (possibly preseason) and he was Gash.

 

[Big Al]

. say what you like about not making the most of opportunities, etc ... but Bingers hasn't really been given chances 'up front' ... i'm not surprised the guy looks shit as a winger, because he is not a winger (and that is where Okon insists on playing him when he makes a cameo)

Yet says Skapetis was
Played out of position at Roar

 

[bikinigirl]

Maybe this is the first time ive ever disagreed with you BG but he had 2 or 3 game as CF (possibly preseason) and he was Gash.

. i won't disagree with that ... he did play up front in pre-season and was hopeless. looked as if he was told to go out there and give it everything he had ... which he did, physically - and subsequently all skill and intelligence were forgotten. but that wasn't my point, i think in both ways he has been poorly managed

. as a counterpoint Hoole was brilliant in those same pre-season games (scored goals, taking great corners) ... and with one exception we have been stuck with him ever since

 

[BrisRecky]

If Okon is giving these guys any day other than Monday off , the way we’re playing, then he needs a good hard looking at
I’m not saying drive them into the ground, even Real Madrid show up 5 days a week

 

[TedShot]

Can Celtic buy us now?