Blues fighting fit after regime change

11:57am Thursday 7th March 2013 in Sport By Andy Carswell

Blues fighting fit after regime change Blues fighting fit after regime change

BLUES boss Gareth Ainsworth said his players are now feeling the benefits of a new fitness regime he's installed.

He said having athletic ability is more important than being able to pass the ball and that's what he's been working on ever since he took the manager's job at Adams Park.

Ainsworth said the long-term strategy is now paying dividends, with his players fitter, stronger and less prone to injury than they were before.

He said: "We weren't unfit before but I think they are fitter now, without a doubt.

"We put these things in place as soon as I took over. You won't see overnight fitness, you don't see overnight speed and strength and the injury prevention takes two to three months at least.

"We are reaping the rewards now and seeing everything coming together. The big thing now is not letting it rest. We can't now say we've done it. I want them to get fitter and fitter.

"They are not new pioneering techniques, it's the normal stuff I used to do. It's things I've learned over the years.

"I'm not taking any credit, I've probably stolen a few sessions off people, but it seems to work. We are looking fitter and stronger and really sharp - in the modern game you have to be all these things."

He added: "Sometimes fitness and strength gets overlooked in the modern game. I was lucky enough to play in the Premier League and every player there is an athlete first and a footballer second.

"You have to be an athlete now. You have to be quick, you have to be powerful, you have to have stamina - it's a big part of football.

"There's sub-12 second 100 metre runners, Olympic marathon runners - they have everything and they are so strong."

Comments (2)

12:51pm Thu 7 Mar 13

Fit2drop says...

"athletic ability is more important than being able to pass the ball" How wrong can you be! Thats why Spain won everything they retain the ball, pass to their own players. My main criticism of Wycombe this season is there inability to pass to someone in a blue shirt. Poor old McClure just sees the ball lumped up field, then gets replaced as he cant hold the ball up. I despair if the FA are allowing coaches to ignore skill in favour of athletisism.
"athletic ability is more important than being able to pass the ball" How wrong can you be! Thats why Spain won everything they retain the ball, pass to their own players. My main criticism of Wycombe this season is there inability to pass to someone in a blue shirt. Poor old McClure just sees the ball lumped up field, then gets replaced as he cant hold the ball up. I despair if the FA are allowing coaches to ignore skill in favour of athletisism. Fit2drop

9:48pm Thu 7 Mar 13

Myerscough says...

I agree with Fit2drop in one respect and that is the ability to pass to one of your team mates is a pre-requisite of a successful team and I’m pretty sure Mr Ainsworth would also agree on that one. However as a spectator I am lucky enough to get to watch live premiership games in between home games at Adams Park and skill wise their players are not miles ahead – witness some of the Capital One Cup results this season – but there is quite a noticeable difference in fitness. As someone who has played at that level I suspect Mr Ainsworth has recognised that fact and has prioritised fitness as one thing he can do something about and is using his experience to help the guys here. Let’s be honest you could name three or four players who show some tremendous skills but who lack the athletic ability to get up and down the park for 90 minutes. Having just watched Gareth Bale cover 70 metres in 9 seconds some 65 minutes into the Spurs v Milan game was quite spectacular and demonstrated just what an athlete that young man is. Perhaps less noticeable but equally impressive was that no fewer than 3 of his team mates were no more than a couple of yards behind him. I for one would love to see a more athletic Wycombe team .
I agree with Fit2drop in one respect and that is the ability to pass to one of your team mates is a pre-requisite of a successful team and I’m pretty sure Mr Ainsworth would also agree on that one. However as a spectator I am lucky enough to get to watch live premiership games in between home games at Adams Park and skill wise their players are not miles ahead – witness some of the Capital One Cup results this season – but there is quite a noticeable difference in fitness. As someone who has played at that level I suspect Mr Ainsworth has recognised that fact and has prioritised fitness as one thing he can do something about and is using his experience to help the guys here. Let’s be honest you could name three or four players who show some tremendous skills but who lack the athletic ability to get up and down the park for 90 minutes. Having just watched Gareth Bale cover 70 metres in 9 seconds some 65 minutes into the Spurs v Milan game was quite spectacular and demonstrated just what an athlete that young man is. Perhaps less noticeable but equally impressive was that no fewer than 3 of his team mates were no more than a couple of yards behind him. I for one would love to see a more athletic Wycombe team . Myerscough

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