' Double training sessions for ccfc players '

" New Cardiff City manager Russell Slade focuses on fitness to bring squad up to speed "

Thurs Oct 09, 2014

By Steve Tucker

Slade was appointed as the new Bluesbirds boss this week and has already made his players undergo double training sessions

No-nonsense new Cardiff City boss Russell Slade has started as he means to go on by making his men pull double shifts after identifying a lack of fitness in his squad.

The 53-year-old has only been in the Welsh capital a matter of days, but has already started pinpointing the reasons why the Bluebirds have had such a lacklustre start to their Championship campaign.

With the international break upon us, Cardiff currently sit 15th in the table after 11 games, not far off a quarter of the season, played. Slade’s boys are six points off the play-off places, the new manager’s self-confessed target, and eight points off the automatic places.

It is the side currently in second-place who will provide the former Orient manager’s first test when Nottingham Forest visit the Welsh capital on October 18 for what should prove a stern test for the hosts.

Slade is already relishing going into battle against the side he supported as a kid, but if his players are to compete he knows fitness levels are going to have to be improved throughout the Bluebirds camp.



“For one reason or another we do feel there are a few which need to get up to speed when it comes to fitness. We’ve worked very hard on that so far,” said Slade who has replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the capital club.

“We’ve done a lot of work too on structure in terms of the way we want to play and game plan as well going forward. There’s talent here, individual talent, but right now I don’t see that coming together enough as a team. They are crying out for help and I am trying to give that.

“I’m settling in OK. It’s been a full-on few days since I took charge. It’s been morning and afternoon, but it’s given me a great opportunity to see the players here. We’ve got eight away on international duty and we’ve had a nice group of 20 to work with day in and day out. I feel it’s been good.

“We’ve looked at their individual jobs and their collective jobs. They are quite a quiet group so we are trying to encourage plenty of communication and organisation. I think already we are starting to see the benefits.

“We’ve played an 11 against 11 game which was good for us because sometimes when you organise an in-house game it does not give you what you really need.

"But we had a referee and it was important for me to see all 20 players in a full-size game. I’ve had some real insight into all the players. I've seen how they’ve responded to a new manager coming in and from my point of view the work ethic and the attitude has been very positive.”

As well as fitness levels, Slade admitted he was looking at lifting confidence within the club too and also seeking to make his players take more responsibility for decisions on the pitch.

The Bluebirds boss added: “Confidence may have been an issue. I feel they need a bit of leadership and that leadership needs to come from me and my staff, but also from within the group itself.

"As they get used to what I require from them on the pitch and the training ground they have to take some responsibility for the decisions being made during games.”

As he prepares his troops for their return to Championship action, one thing Slade is not short of is players themselves. He has inherited a massive squad and one of his toughest tasks will be finding his best side and sticking with it. The new Cardiff boss knows he is going to have to disappoint some of his men and he is already preparing to separate those who will play a big part this campaign from those who might not.

And Slade has challenged all of his players to make sure they are on the right side of the line when those tough choices are made.

“It is a difficult number to work with, if they are all fit we have 31 and we have seven out on loan,” admitted Slade.

“The ideal number is about 20 or 22 with your goalkeepers. When everyone is back we are going to break them up into separate groups and it is important from the players’ point of view that they step up to the plate and make sure they are in the right group when they go out to train in the morning.”

well done Slade, no messing around!

They are def unfit and I really cant understand that?
As to confidence, I dont see a problem

This is damning for the previous regime. Surely there were fitness coaches with Solksjaer. What were they doing ? They were no doubt in the same mold as Solksjaer. Footballers are no different to other employees apart from being well paid. If they exploit weakness in management some will exploit it and not work as hard ie fitness. It is refreshing that there is a no nonsense new manager in charge who will kick them into shape. The fitness issue can also explain the defending too deep towards the end of each game that is coming the norm.

This is damning for the previous regime. Surely there were fitness coaches with Solksjaer. What were they doing ? They were no doubt in the same mold as Solksjaer. Footballers are no different to other employees apart from being well paid. If they exploit weakness in management some will exploit it and not work as hard ie fitness. It is refreshing that there is a no nonsense new manager in charge who will kick them into shape. The fitness issue can also explain the defending too deep towards the end of each game that is coming the norm.

Agree looks like ole underestimated the job here

[quote="Forever Blue"]They are def unfit and I really cant understand that?
As to confidence, I dont see a problem [/quote

Annis think its more about confidence in what team is suppose to be doing, rather than as individuals! Reading what slade is saying.

They are def unfit and I really cant understand that?
As to confidence, I dont see a problem [/quote

Annis think its more about confidence in what team is suppose to be doing, rather than as individuals! Reading what slade is saying.

Allan, Slade is right on that

A real fingers crossed that we have finally got the right man

Solksjaer was used to coming on as a sub. Perhaps he didn't see the importance of fitness !!

Slade really is what we have been missing.

Good to hear.

The confidence front I agree, if you think about players who don't like to go forward and always turn back and pass it back when there is a time we can go forward and pass forward. Hopefully Daelhi and Ravel play in the first 11 because we will see proper attacking in games. Also shooting, players have the ability like Pilkington who got a good strike should start to hit from range when given the chance.

good luck Mr Slade

good to see fitness is being worked on, though a lack confidence has been the biggest failing so far

It's great to hear that Slade is addressing the obvious problems and being up front with them, too many players, unfit, weak organisation, no leaders, hopefully a few arses will be kicked into shape

Solksjaer was used to coming on as a sub. Perhaps he didn't see the importance of fitness !!

"Better manager than MM" - Mr Tan

All sounds positive, lets hope we can get some results from it

It's great to hear that Slade is addressing the obvious problems and being up front with them, too many players, unfit, weak organisation, no leaders, hopefully a few arses will be kicked into shape

Spot on

All sounds positive, lets hope we can get some results from it

lets hope so

“We’ve looked at their individual jobs and their collective jobs. They are quite a quiet group so we are trying to encourage plenty of communication and organisation. I think already we are starting to see the benefits."

- This suggests to me that there's a lack of team spirit within the club. I'm sure Slade will go about addressing this issue.

The new Cardiff boss knows he is going to have to disappoint some of his men and he is already preparing to separate those who will play a big part this campaign from those who might not.

- This I see as a positive move. It will piss-off those players who are marginalised, however, we need to sort out the wheat from the chaff and it should act as an incentive for players to make sure that they impress with attitude and fitness in order to get into the right group.

“We’ve looked at their individual jobs and their collective jobs. They are quite a quiet group so we are trying to encourage plenty of communication and organisation. I think already we are starting to see the benefits."

- This suggests to me that there's a lack of team spirit within the club. I'm sure Slade will go about addressing this issue.

The new Cardiff boss knows he is going to have to disappoint some of his men and he is already preparing to separate those who will play a big part this campaign from those who might not.

- This I see as a positive move. It will piss-off those players who are marginalised, however, we need to sort out the wheat from the chaff and it should act as an incentive for players to make sure that they impress with attitude and fitness in order to get into the right group.

Fitness could be the key here.

It beggars belief that come october and our squad are still not fit, what the hell was going on in pre-season?????

It beggars belief that come october and our squad are still not fit, what the hell was going on in pre-season?????

Is over-training a possibility?

They are def unfit and I really cant understand that?
As to confidence, I dont see a problem

Strange indeed that the players seem unfit. Rene Skovdahl used to be the fitness coach, but although he only has experience from Scandinavian clubs (13 years in Brønby, 2 years in Molde), you would think he´s capable of setting up a program suitable for keeping players fit. Was the regime too soft for lazy players, or was it maybe too hard for some? Would be interesting to see numbers on the players O2 uptake.