Is it just me or do we look totally unfit game in, game out?
The fundamentals of football are to track back, press, close the space etc etc. We are unable to do any of that. We are like a sieve as a unit. I don’t think it’s because the players don’t care, I truly believe it’s because their stamina doesn’t allow them to keep pace with the opponents. It’s as if they are running in treacle.
We have shown our ability to score more than enough goals but the other side of the game is keeping the ball out of your own net. I would argue that defending is the more important part. We simply cannot defend and I put it down to a total lack of fitness.
I think Smith alluded to how shocked he was by it when he arrived. Whoever was in charge of preparing the team to be physically ready from pre season onwards should carry the can.
This might also explain why we have such horrific injury lists for the last three seasons. The players break down continuously and this can’t just be coincidence or bad luck.