Axed duo in fitness battle
Monday 22nd October 2007, 11:42AM BST.
Shrewsbury Town duo Michael Symes and Darren Moss have embarked on a “mini pre-season programme” as they attempt to rediscover their full fitness.The pair were omitted from the entire 16 for Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Bury after lacking match sharpness in previous outings.
manager Gary Peters today revealed he had temporarily taken Symes and Moss out of first team contention to focus on fitness.
“It took bravery because we have got a few injuries and then you are saying to two other senior players you are coming out,” said Peters.
“Both Symesey and Mossy missed pre-season and that takes its toll and sometimes it’s hard to recover from that.
“They are training mornings and afternoons at the moment and were in Saturday and Sunday doing extra running sessions.
“It’s going to be a tough period for them but has to be done and both lads agree with that.
“It’s not something we have had to push them into. Both of them are pleased with how much they have done at the end of the sessions rather than having the hump.”
Averted
Meanwhile, Peters is hoping Stewart Drummond’s late equaliser at Gigg Lane will turn the tide for his side as they narrowly averted a fifth successive defeat.
“We didn’t play particularly well but the lads’ spirit came through in the end and hopefully that will be a turning point,” he added.
“It’s about confidence and you could see that drain from the players for 20 minutes after half-time when their first goal went in.
“There is no conclusive evidence to say the ball crossed the line so we are still not sure if we conceded a goal, but we came back strongly and that was important.
“We just have to keep sticking together and working hard and if I was a supporter I would want someone in charge who didn’t get knocked from pillar to post with what other people were saying and who stuck to their guns.
“We have had an upward curve of improvement over the last two-and-a-half years but there have been blips along the way. I remember coming under pressure at Mansfield two years ago and Walsall last year but we have always turned it around.”
Town reserves are in action at Nottingham Forest tomorrow afternoon (2pm).
By James Garrison
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The end of October is upon us and two first team players are still not ‘match fit’ – How many games need to be played and how much training needs to be done to define match and/or full fitness?
What is going on within the club? The club employ people to train and coach, employ people to compile fitness regimes and dietary needs, people to condition and monitor fitness and yet we still see players not ‘fully fit’.
Come on GP and your sidekicks – Sort it out,I ask the question – Is it fitness or a lack of direction from the coaches and manager, another dismal performance on Saturday at Bury and in all likelihood another one to follow this coming weekend. We need direction and an attacking know how – not excuses.
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Why are these two first team players not fit yet ! We need them in the team now rather than getting fit ! We have a small squad and can’t afford to be realising in mid October that players need to be able to play for 90 minutes.No wonder we are losing consecutive games and are pleased with a point at Bury these days. It looks like our dream of getting out of league 2 was a delusion.It makes me wonder how we got to Wembley last May. Help….
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surely all is not doom and gloom, one hard earned point to end the run of losses must be good news. points do not grow on trees at bury. i agree with dropping 2 unfit players, as symes was one of the passengers at the last home game.
come on gp sort ‘em out
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A good point at Bury- there one of the worst clubs in the League!!!
How expections have changed!!!!
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Hope it’s not too many fish and chips or too much bottled liquid that these players are not fit around this time of season I would expect them to be fighting hard hard to obtain a place in the team, to get fit put the boxing gloves on not the feather dusters GP seems to be giving them, lets get some men in the team not softy’s,then some goals for the supporters, no excuses,fight the odd decision that goes against you, you will have more before the season ends.
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