Ronnie must have these lads working hard, all I seem to see is tweets by the players saying how fucked they are and hard days training. Must better than a relaxing week in Spain that some former managers have done. What a difference having a proper manager in charge who knows how to work players hard. Feeling very optimistic for next season!

Players whinging about training being tough? My heart bleeds!
Can't wait to see the results of a full preseason under Ronnie.

Bates look fatter in each picture I see

remember the last time we had a good side in this division?

Didnt we go to Holland preseason?

Just saying like.

The last time we had a bad side we went to Holland as well...like

Were they whinging or just observing? On my first days back it was like "fooooooking 'ell, ar arn arf nackered", but it was more of a grunt of relief or even satisfaction than a full-on whinge.

you missed the point by a long way there like.

All through the 70s and 80s we went to catterick. Players were punished like fook.

Sure we had one of the worst teams in the world throughout that period.

So to explain,as its clearly needed:

If the payers are good enough a week in Spain would be good for them, just as much as a week at Catterick.

If the players are shit they are always sht.

Surely they don't have to be 'punished' at catterick. It can be more for camaraderie that fitness sometimes, depends what Ronnie wants out of it.
Obviously during 70s and 80s it was more likely to be that way.

For the last few years since Wadsworth left we haven't looked anywhere near fit or strong enough to compete. Hopefully that will change now.

I'd suggest that it's the quality of the squads rather than the quality of the pre season trip that dictates how well a season goes.


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True, but in the first half of last season we had the perfect marriage of a really shit team who weren't particularly fit either. We had loads of games were we competed first half before falling apart second.

Our successful teams ten years back yes had good players but they were all supremely fit as well, players coming from other clubs often commented on it.

Good fitness levels can go a long way at this level. Also top clubs use boot camps these days pre season I imagine a bit more thought and structure goes into them than what happened in the 70's and 80's when they beasted the summer beer gut off players.

I think the time spent at catterick will all be about bonding. getting to work as a team and looking after each other's back. The army have the right people in place to achieve this. This is what we were lacking when Ronnie first came in. I think Ronnies plan is starting to come together. In fact I may be gettin a semi on at the thought of the up and coming season. it's been a while since I've had this excitement preseason. Excuse me grammar.

Didn't John Daly come in to Pools and say it was like joining 'Hartlepool Harriers' coz of the running and fitness work that went on. He said it in a positive way I seem to remember.

Most players at every level look after themselves now. Personal trainers n all that. Gone are the days when lower league players are unfit


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Who would do better, 11 talented, unfit, half-motivated slobs or 11 high-energy headless chickens?

I know: why don't we just have 11 committed, high-energy talented players to be on the safe side.

Give me 11 good players over 11 shit workhorses any day.

And that 11 good player would beat the other every time

Luscombe had a personal nutritionist....Shame it was Jamil from the local takeaway.

No shit. Give this man a medal.

So we need skilled workhorses.... covers all the bases then

We aren't talking about 'workhorses' that is is type of player. But a good player or shit 'workhorse' will perform at a better level if they are in top condition.

With the pace and intensity of the game these days you simply can't be successful with having players who can't last 90 minutes. We saw it last year when we had lads who played at a decent level for 30/45 minutes then went missing.

It somehow got from high-energy to workhorses. Reactor pile to Dobbin.