What Megson reckons, a good piece too,

 

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle4493273.ece

 

 

Discuss.....

What Megson reckons, a good piece too,

 

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle4493273.ece

 

 

Discuss.....

 

Good article, glad to see Megson making his stamp on the place.

 

I wonder who the player with issues is?? Davies, Hunt, Nolan or Taylor??

 

Can we have a poll.

 

PS Given the amount of times Taylor is mentioned in the article doubt it is him?

Good article, glad to see Megson making his stamp on the place.

 

I wonder who the player with issues is?? Davies, Hunt, Nolan or Taylor??

 

Can we have a poll.

 

PS Given the amount of times Taylor is mentioned in the article doubt it is him?

 

 

 

My bet would be Hunt, Davo is a work horse, Nolan captain.

My bet would be Hunt, Davo is a work horse, Nolan captain.

 

Me too, but reports from prfe-season state Nolan even bigger than last year, so reckon it one of the two?

 

does Hunt have England potential??

Megson made the point several times last season of how he'd improved players' fitness levels since becoming manager. Fair enough - the odds are against us in terms of quality so we need to make the best of what we've got. For me this article is too heavily weighted on athleticism, brute strength and brawn being the key to success. There's not a mention of creativity, skill, flair, finesse. I still have reservations about his motivational ability too. It's all very well them being fit but can he get the best out of the players, and get them to play for him?

 

Who is the player with 'issues'? That's a strange thing to say. It can only be Nolan or Hunt IMO.

Very interesting read is that, a couple of things stand out for me the first is the very impressive fitness levels of Matt Taylor, they back up my thoughts about him, he will be a key player for us this season, also our performances in pre-season should be taken with a pinch of salt, rightly megson says that first and foremost the players have to get that core fitness and as anyone who has played football knows if your body is working harder than it would in a match situation your skill technique and accuracy of passing drops dramatically, from the games I have seen we have certainly worked very hard and this has had an adverse effect on our quality of performance, when we play stoke the levels of intensity should be lower than actual training and it follows that passing and the technical side of our game should improve.

A few weeks ago, an "itk" poster off here said Megson had thrown out all the high tech training equipment

 

Anyhow -

This quote from our Euxton fitness guru worried me a little -

?Off-season laid the base, Austria began building the fitness pyramid and players should peak against Stoke,? says Stovell.

 

Does he mean it'll be all downhill after Stoke?

Edited August 10, 200817 yr by Burndens Bogs

impressive fitness levels of Matt Taylor, they back up my thoughts about him, he will be a key player for us this season

Ok hands up all those who knew I was gonna put my tuppence ha'penny in at the slightest mention of our Matthew

 

As usual I'm gonna question the suggestion/opinion that Taylor is a key man for us. I am not at all surprised, but firstly I think suitable huge credit should go to Taylor for the effort he has/is putting into training and the phenominal levels of running he does during a game! However I think his impressive fitness levels could just as easily back up my thoughts that he is not really [ ability wise ] good enough for a regular Premiership start. Would me suggesting an argument that he was getting in the team based on fitness/effort/attitude as an example to the rest, before actual effectiveness on the ball be acceptable? It would certainly explain Megson's not having toyed with dropping him after some very ineffective performances to me.

 

From the matches I saw last season he was trying the most, had the reddest face, gave his absolute all, WAS the fittest player we had [ despite excuses that he wasn't from those fans with the rose-tinited specs who also weren't impressed with his game ... you know who you are ]

 

Having said all that hats off to the lad; if all our players put in the effort he does we'd have no relegation fears next term... which incidently I still do have [ fears that is ] based on the squad at the end of last season and the one we have now.

 

Come on you Whites!

My fear would be that just like racehorses athletes like Nolan and a few others in our camp need training in a particular way to be lean and fighting fit.

 

When racehorses are fed the wrong feed and sprinters are left to graze they lose condition, and this is the worry with BWFC's players.

 

Last season it was levelled at me by a couple of pie-eaters (after that game when I lost the faith....) that you could count on Bolton to be physical and stripped-fit for every encounter. This season, they felt, they looked fat and out-of-condition. I couldn't disagree.

 

Regardless of the personalities involved, give me Sam's methods over Megson's any day - at least we were up there sparring with the best technology could offer us. This quasi-Luddite approach that Megson seems to be adopting is hardly purposeful and hardly forward-thinking.

 

There are more holes in the article than a string vest. Having knocked the cryopod for six, it goes on to say that Megson has installed - wait for it - a new canteen. Then, "His side have a friendly against Wolves that day and apart from Gary Cahill and Fabrice Muamba nobody plays well, but the running is sharp and effort levels are fierce." That's ok then...

 

The peak fitness thing in real language is "we've done crap but don't worry it'll be alright on the night"

 

I can't wait for the new season, like anyone, but hasn't the sparkle and lustre slowly disappeared from the club....

 

ps The lad in question is Nolan. If he sorts himself out he'll be back to 10+ goals and a force to be reckoned with. Even a blind man can see that the lad struggles with his weight and getting his muscles in proportion.

A few weeks ago, an "itk" poster off here said Megson had thrown out all the high tech training equipment

 

Anyhow -

This quote from our Euxton fitness guru worried me a little -

?Off-season laid the base, Austria began building the fitness pyramid and players should peak against Stoke,? says Stovell.

 

Does he mean it'll be all downhill after Stoke?

 

 

it means that they will be hitting the ground runing in the opening game and should be able to sustain that for the season. imagine gettinga rolling start at the traffick lights, you'll be away faster than the bloke sat there wating for the lights to change. keep up Bogs

fitness is important but not the major key. kicking the ball in the right direction is the key that opens the door.

Ok hands up all those who knew I was gonna put my tuppence ha'penny in at the slightest mention of our Matthew

 

As usual I'm gonna question the suggestion/opinion that Taylor is a key man for us. I am not at all surprised, but firstly I think suitable huge credit should go to Taylor for the effort he has/is putting into training and the phenominal levels of running he does during a game! However I think his impressive fitness levels could just as easily back up my thoughts that he is not really [ ability wise ] good enough for a regular Premiership start. Would me suggesting an argument that he was getting in the team based on fitness/effort/attitude as an example to the rest, before actual effectiveness on the ball be acceptable? It would certainly explain Megson's not having toyed with dropping him after some very ineffective performances to me.

 

From the matches I saw last season he was trying the most, had the reddest face, gave his absolute all, WAS the fittest player we had [ despite excuses that he wasn't from those fans with the rose-tinited specs who also weren't impressed with his game ... you know who you are ]

 

Having said all that hats off to the lad; if all our players put in the effort he does we'd have no relegation fears next term... which incidently I still do have [ fears that is ] based on the squad at the end of last season and the one we have now.

 

Come on you Whites!

 

i'm pretty sure one of the stattos on here pointed out that most of the goals in the key games that kept us up last season were set up or scored by taylor.

i'm pretty sure one of the stattos on here pointed out that most of the goals in the key games that kept us up last season were set up or scored by taylor.

Frank I love you for the way you defend every player who puts on a White shirt

 

If I recall correctly I think Taylor got 3 goals last season. 2 were in the Arsenal game and we lost that... the other was in the Chelsea game when we were already safe! As far as assists goes I'm sure he would have been involved in a fair few of our goals., so I won't dispute that ... playing where he was playing though that is his job! Fo instance I wouldn't expect Cahill to have been involved in setting up goals but I think he had a much bigger impact on keeping us up!

 

However just after we bought Taylor we were involved in am awful lot of games where we didn't score enough goals. The chances we had were falling to Taylor too and he was missing ones Grandpa Spencer would have scored in his sleep!

 

When we were conceding goals at the start of the season we all knew the culprits in defence and thankfully Megson [ and Lee with AOB ] sorted that out! My opinion has always been that Taylor was his one big mistake. We paid too much for him and I don't think he's good enough! I would of course be delighted to be proved wrong this season as we are WAY short of creative players who can create chances!

Frank I love you for the way you defend every player who puts on a White shirt

 

If I recall correctly I think Taylor got 3 goals last season. 2 were in the Arsenal game and we lost that... the other was in the Chelsea game when we were already safe! As far as assists goes I'm sure he would have been involved in a fair few of our goals., so I won't dispute that ... playing where he was playing though that is his job! Fo instance I wouldn't expect Cahill to have been involved in setting up goals but I think he had a much bigger impact on keeping us up!

 

However just after we bought Taylor we were involved in am awful lot of games where we didn't score enough goals. The chances we had were falling to Taylor too and he was missing ones Grandpa Spencer would have scored in his sleep!

 

When we were conceding goals at the start of the season we all knew the culprits in defence and thankfully Megson [ and Lee with AOB ] sorted that out! My opinion has always been that Taylor was his one big mistake. We paid too much for him and I don't think he's good enough! I would of course be delighted to be proved wrong this season as we are WAY short of creative players who can create chances!

 

Everyone is entitled to there opinion but ?3 million for Taylor is an absolute snip he is 27 has years of premiership experience can play left back or left midfield, it beggars belief that anyone can doubt the signing of Taylor and even moreso to say that he was one big mistake.

Edited August 10, 200817 yr by Mounts Kipper

IF fitness was the key, countries like Kenya would be world champions.

Good article. I was hoping that Megson would focus on the fitness side - Sammy Lee appeared to neglect this badly. There were games last season were we visibly looked knackered with 10-20 minutes to go.

 

As for Taylor, I feel he is a decent enough player but not as one of a front three. He doesn't have the creativity or finishing ability to consistently succeed there IMO.

 

And the player who has issues? Detective Bristol has returned the following assessment: We have the following English players: Walker, Hunt, Cahill, Samuel, Muamba, McCann, Nolan, Taylor, Davies, Odebayi, Sinclair, Woolfe.

 

Can't see it being Walker as the fitness expectations wouldn't be the same for keepers anyway. Hunt, Davies and Nolan have been at the club for years and seem to accept the importance of fitness. Taylor is mentioned as being one of the fittest, Muamba is known to have a great engine, and Cahill is young and looks fit and lean.

 

So if not one of the kids, that leaves McCann and Samuel. Given Megson says "he has the ability to play for England", I would go for Samuel, as McCann (I think) has already played for England and is now too old, and now not good enough to play for England anyway. You may say the same about Samuel, but I think he has the talent, not always the concentration.

Good article. I was hoping that Megson would focus on the fitness side - Sammy Lee appeared to neglect this badly. There were games last season were we visibly looked knackered with 10-20 minutes to go.

 

As for Taylor, I feel he is a decent enough player but not as one of a front three. He doesn't have the creativity or finishing ability to consistently succeed there IMO.

 

And the player who has issues? Detective Bristol has returned the following assessment: We have the following English players: Walker, Hunt, Cahill, Samuel, Muamba, McCann, Nolan, Taylor, Davies, Odebayi, Sinclair, Woolfe.

 

Can't see it being Walker as the fitness expectations wouldn't be the same for keepers anyway. Hunt, Davies and Nolan have been at the club for years and seem to accept the importance of fitness. Taylor is mentioned as being one of the fittest, Muamba is known to have a great engine, and Cahill is young and looks fit and lean.

 

So if not one of the kids, that leaves McCann and Samuel. Given Megson says "he has the ability to play for England", I would go for Samuel, as McCann (I think) has already played for England and is now too old, and now not good enough to play for England anyway. You may say the same about Samuel, but I think he has the talent, not always the concentration.

I thought he was Scottish, ha ha there's something I didn't know!

IF fitness was the key, countries like Kenya would be world champions.

Different measure of fitness

McCann (I think) has already played for England and is now too old, and now not good enough to play for England anyway.

Against Spain in a friendly.

HTH

Different measure of fitness

Agreed. As it says in the article speed and power are key attributes.

There's way too much emphasis on how far players can run during a game and not what they actually do with the ball when they've got it.

Would me suggesting an argument that he was getting in the team based on fitness/effort/attitude as an example to the rest, before actual effectiveness on the ball be acceptable?

 

No it wouldn't.

 

Of the last 9 goals we scored last season, Taylor scored 3 and set up 4.

 

He's the most effective, and seemingly hardest working player to boot.

There's way too much emphasis on how far players can run during a game and not what they actually do with the ball when they've got it.

Agreed but having competed recently in an unfit state due to illness in the run up I lost in the final to someone less skillful just because I could hardly move.

my opinion on skill may be a little biased??? a lot really

Everyone is entitled to there opinion but ?3 million for Taylor is an absolute snip he is 27 has years of premiership experience can play left back or left midfield, it beggars belief that anyone can doubt the signing of Taylor and even moreso to say that he was one big mistake.

Beggars belief? That's a bit extreme and even moreso [ ] when you justify it with

 

a] The lowest possible price we paid for the lad... I've heard 4.5 million quoted just as much as 3

b] He's 27... Lots of people out there are 27, it doesn't mean they are worth a huge fee

c] He can play in 2 positions... another way of saying he is not a specialist and more of a good substitute than a key player which is what prompted me to reply.

 

I do respect your opinion though Mounts and as I have said before a few times, on this subject [ i.e. Taylor ] I would appear to be in the minority. I also really want the lad to be better; he plays every week so I want to think him as good as most do on here.

Edited August 10, 200817 yr by Arnold Jackson

Agreed. As it says in the article speed and power are key attributes.

 

In which case, the countries with the top sprinters would be top.

 

There's more to it than that for me, the top players in the world are just the fittest, fastest or most powerful. I suppose it's the same point Trotter 58 is making; making that killer pass, knowing when to dive in and when to not, moving at the right time, actually putting the ball in the net etc. also have a small part to play in the game.

Frank I love you for the way you defend every player who puts on a White shirt

 

If I recall correctly I think Taylor got 3 goals last season. 2 were in the Arsenal game and we lost that... the other was in the Chelsea game when we were already safe! As far as assists goes I'm sure he would have been involved in a fair few of our goals., so I won't dispute that ... playing where he was playing though that is his job! Fo instance I wouldn't expect Cahill to have been involved in setting up goals but I think he had a much bigger impact on keeping us up!

 

However just after we bought Taylor we were involved in am awful lot of games where we didn't score enough goals. The chances we had were falling to Taylor too and he was missing ones Grandpa Spencer would have scored in his sleep!

 

When we were conceding goals at the start of the season we all knew the culprits in defence and thankfully Megson [ and Lee with AOB ] sorted that out! My opinion has always been that Taylor was his one big mistake. We paid too much for him and I don't think he's good enough! I would of course be delighted to be proved wrong this season as we are WAY short of creative players who can create chances!

 

so by setting up those goals and doing his job he's become not good enough?

 

I'll stick up for those that deserve sticking up for, if they're clearly shit then i'll say so but have you everthought you're in such a minority that you might be wrong?

 

Anyway Grampa Spencer wouldv'e scored nolans wonder goal against the dingles, according to Gramps anyway.