[Sports Science]

The sports science should be applied Monday to Friday to make sure the players are in the best condition they can be, i.e. doing whats best for each individual; high/low intensity, more recovery time, etc.

Come match day, you're either fit to play or you're not.

You may not be fully match fit (i.e. lacking in game time) and might start blowing 2nd half but base any decision on how that player is or isn't influencing the game.

When sports science starts interfering in match-day decisions its gone too far and becomes counterproductive to the overall aim of the club, which is winning football matches.

[Stevenage (H) FAC2R Match thread 12th Dec]

To go into the game with a rigid plan to take Devine & Arblaster off after 60 mins and give Grant no more than 45 irrespective of how the game is panning out (because the sports science team have looked into their crystal ball and said they will break down if they play more than that) beggars belief. To replace them with young lads with next to no football league experience is unbelievably bad in-game management. He is obsessed with wrapping the players up in cotton wool; he's created a culture where every niggle is treated with caution. Just focus on winning the game in hand!! 

[Stevenage (H) FAC2R Match thread 12th Dec]

Sack the medical team not crosby. They're the ones calling the shots!

[Flitcroft Interview in Baggers' 'The Valiant']

9 hours ago, RayWalkers40yarder said:

id be at the front of any protest to get him gone. he can take crosby with him. theyre clueless.

Better training facilities, better pitch, better academy (plus I dare say he has to deal with a shed load of admin everyday). Few seem willing to acknowledge that these are also things that flitcroft is overseeing and as far as I can tell are progressing well. For once we have owners who see the importance in building the foundations for the long term but they're up against fans who judge things game by game and want success here and now.

We are not far off being mid table and that is pretty much where I expected us to be this season. We have injured players coming back. Every chance of making history in the League cup and a good chance of progressing into the 3rd round of the fa cup. 

Ok, we are in a bad run, the striker situation is frustrating and I would agree that this January is last chance saloon in terms of striker recruitment but I'm pretty sure flitcroft and the recruitment team don't need reminding of this by fans' sarcastic replies every time Vale put out a tweet.

Crosby knows he's under pressure and if results don't pick up then he will be shown the door; but I really don't see how getting rid of someone who takes a lot of the day to day pressure off the manager (whoever that is) benefits anyone.

[January Transfers and Rumours]

Key criteria for the recruitment team:-

Scores a couple of goals in an FA Cup tie on the telly.

Scores / has a good game against us.

Their grandad used to play for Vale.

[Middlesborough H EFL QF Tickets/Crowd]

Fans at start of season: "we could do with a cup run to boost the coffers".

Fans when we get to major cup quarter final for 1st time in history: "the clubs taking the p1ss charging the same as cheltenham at home in the league"

[Middlesborough H EFL QF Tickets/Crowd]

If it was a choice between taking my kids to a once in a generation occasion in Vale's history and creating memories for a lifetime versus buying them some plastic tat for Christmas that would be in the charity shop by Easter, I know which I'd choose.