A question I'd ask myself every preseason when playing at a poor level of football.

Is it worth getting fit was an important question I'd ask myself.

If I thought I'd get game time and thought we had a chance of winning games, I knew I would enjoy playing therefore it was worth getting fit and I'd take myself off to the crimdon dene steps regularly.

For Pools I wonder if the same applies. The Paul Hartley season there were good intentions but things quickly unravelled, I travelled to Walsall away first game and we were tonked 4-0. Players and staff were badly abused by angry fans due to the awful performance.

If I'm a player, it isn't worth it (putting the hard effort in getting fit), granted preseason was done but at that point it was downhill all season. Until a new manager comes in then the same question applies 'is it worth it?` and it's a chance to reset.

Is it different with Darren Sarll? No idea. Friendlies don't matter, the 5-0 win vs South Shields is worth nothing.

There are positive signs, we are indeed pressing high and Sarll is indeed keeping a small squad.

Let us see from 10th August if the players see if it's worth it. They seem to be buying into the high press approach plus having a small squad helps with the 'is it worth getting fit' question. Even fringe players should be getting to peak fitness, the squad is that small that we will need them.

peak fitness does matter but at times i feel too much emphasis is placed on it. surely in the ages of pro players they have a level of fitness anyway to start off with due to the job of work they are involve in. doubt its like the old days when they might have abused there bodies a little between the seasons either. this calling of players athletes does not help as there seems now to be more injuries now from non contact than there ever before. does not help anyone no matter how fit you are when you are out injured like most are from these injuries.

You would have thought so, but a fair few Pools players haven't been particularly fit for some time now.

Alot of the injuries are players just not being arsed.

Committed players play through niggles and tweaks and look after themselves. There hasn't been much incentive for our players to do that.

Need to create a winning mentality, a good team bond and spirit. It's invaluable.

Fitness…a funny one…in one job I used to get to see the Sport’s Council reports on various topics of fitness and one caught my eye on fitness.
It said that research work back in the 50’s and early 60’s to find the fittest workers revealed that dockers of the time came out on top, as it was pre container cargo days and everything was handled manually building up their fitness….the catch was, the average life expectancy in the group was 48.
Still meet people who were real fitness fanatics who are knackered in the joints department….maybe it should be done on moderation…a two mile run walk instead of a one mile gallop.

fitness is an industry now to make money out of people. gyms, supplements, diets all geared to make money out of somebody but how much actually does these people real good in the end. cheaper and more worthwhile buying a dog to satisfy your own fitness regime and buy a bag of chips on your way home.

The new managers way of getting the players fit.

That was a picture of Paul Hartley after completing his stunning league record of Played 9, Won 0.

Can never understand Joggers who job along roadsides their lungs will be shagged when they get older.

There is a school of thought that states that your heart has x many beats in the locker when you are born and i am sure Rab C Nesbitt was a believer.
Medics may disagree.

I’ve came across that remark before, one of the girls at work told me that, she actually believed it.
Never did explain how, as you’d need to start counting from the minute your born.

We all start with a level playing field as far as heart beats are concerned, it all depends how you look after it in later years, bad diet or lack of exercise will shorten the life of your heart.

I despair of the 40 + plus brigade who after a life of not even walking too far and abusing the fags and booze and er cough cough..substances decided they need to lead the life of a Tibetan monk and get fit……it’s pitiful down Seaton watching the dress up like clowns in the old keep fit uniform as they pass you every morning with a face like a horse with a ferret up it’s Arse….wondering if they’ve made the right decision.
Like Accy said, get a dog, they have to exercised, they let you know.
I’ve got biceps like Popeye now and that’s simply by the fog working you out…and you can dress like a poacher

it would not be as bad if they looked to be enjoying themselves. all they might get out of it is a longer time in a care home than those who live in an armchair and leave their salad but eat the chips. what a bloody hell on earth they have created by doing something they obviously do not like, eat stuff because somebody they have never met said it was healthy but hate it and for what. If people want a few tabs and pints they at least are enjoying a life that might be shorter but happier.