Will Osula

[AyeDubbleYoo]

27 minutes ago, HawK said:

Putting Osula in to protect Isak is much more important than not putting in Osula because he's not ready.

 

We need a body, up front, that can come on for Isak when the game is won. Someone that isn't also important like Gordon who should also be protected to some degree.

 

If Howe values Osula's development ahead of Isak's fitness, we have a squad problem and that means we should go sign a 31yr old journeyman player 5a from abc FC in the championship for 1.5m to protect Isak when he doens't need to be on the pitch as an urgent priority.

Isak needs to be protected at all costs.

I’m sure Howe would agree with most of this, but as a professional manager the main thing he needs to consider is winning the game. That’s probably where the main divide between fan and professional opinion would be. 

[Unbelievable]

3 hours ago, SUPERTOON said:

Not quite the same, Hall was really highly rated as a potential star player. Osula not so much.

I’d say the biggest difference is last year we were playing Dan Burn in Hall’s position, whereas this year it’s Isak in Osula’s…

[Unbelievable]

38 minutes ago, 80 said:

Ordinarily I'd probably agree. I've kept thinking about posting this but I'm not sure where or when to do it. But I'd be very interested to see what the input of Bunce is on our fitness decisions.

 

Particularly lately I've noticed some slightly odd looking decisions re: who is or isn't subbed/rested, and I've wondered if that's being influenced by his view on what the players can manage, or even if they're now receiving adjusted training levels. I remember an interview from him a while back where he said contrary to popular belief, he's sometimes saying players need to be worked harder to get the best out of them. 

 

I could be misremembering, but I don't recall Murphy constantly being an early sub in previous seasons, but he is now, and I wonder if that's a factor in him keeping his form up.

I’ve wondered the same, and if indeed this is Bunce’s influence it is working. Back when we were rotating Isak and Wilson Isak would often look noticeably more tired towards the end of games. I think he looks more consistently himself (great) now. Like you say, the same goes for Murphy whose fitness is more managed by early subs. Also Tonali looks like he could run a marathon after the final whistle, plus we have far fewer injuries than previous season(s). Evidently something is working at player conditioning level and long may it continue.

[Turnbull2000]

5 minutes ago, Unbelievable said:

I’ve wondered the same, and if indeed this is Bunce’s influence it is working. Back when we were rotating Isak and Wilson Isak would often look noticeably more tired towards the end of games. I think he looks more consistently himself (great) now. Like you say, the same goes for Murphy whose fitness is more managed by early subs. Also Tonali looks like he could run a marathon after the final whistle, plus we have far fewer injuries than previous season(s). Evidently something is working at player conditioning level and long may it continue.

 

We could potentially have a full squad available next month. Just imagine that

 

Poor Wilson will probably ruin it though.

[HawK]

As both yourselves @80 and @Unbelievable have pointed out, I totally agree different players have different requirements for maintaining fitness and everyone is unique.

 

That said, if there is any ounce of needing to protect Isak in that he could do with less minutes every now and then, and it's not happening because we don't have someone to bring off the bench, this is what I was meaning.

 

If Isak becomes a player that can play practically the whole game every time and that's how his fitness works, then I won't be one to argue, but I can only go on is injury record up until now. 

 

I really hope it's not a coincidence that availability has gone up since Bunce has been involved, especially with bringing players back from injury. Botman particularly was at no point rushed back, granted there wasn't really a squad need to do so until Schar got suspended, but it was also at the projected time of his return.

 

I remember back to seasons yonder that it was great news a player was coming back much quicker than expected from an injury, whereas in recent times it would fill me with dread as I would think they'd just re-aggravate their freshly healed injury.

[loki679]

37 minutes ago, Unbelievable said:

I’ve wondered the same, and if indeed this is Bunce’s influence it is working. Back when we were rotating Isak and Wilson Isak would often look noticeably more tired towards the end of games. I think he looks more consistently himself (great) now. Like you say, the same goes for Murphy whose fitness is more managed by early subs. Also Tonali looks like he could run a marathon after the final whistle, plus we have far fewer injuries than previous season(s). Evidently something is working at player conditioning level and long may it continue.

 

I'm sure we're easing off in games too if we're ahead in the second half.

[andycap]

This he loses the ball stuff that's why he doesn't come on in games is bollocks mind. 

Gordon miggy Willock are terrible at keeping the ball up top when he plays them. 

Osula at the very least gives us a presence up top. 

[80]

20 minutes ago, Unbelievable said:

I’ve wondered the same, and if indeed this is Bunce’s influence it is working. Back when we were rotating Isak and Wilson Isak would often look noticeably more tired towards the end of games. I think he looks more consistently himself (great) now. Like you say, the same goes for Murphy whose fitness is more managed by early subs. Also Tonali looks like he could run a marathon after the final whistle, plus we have far fewer injuries than previous season(s). Evidently something is working at player conditioning level and long may it continue.

Yep, that's right about Isak. As I say, it's hard to judge for sure as an outsider, but the signs are certainly positive. So even when something doesn't look naturally right to me e.g. overworking players, I try to keep schtum and just see how everything turns out this season.

[Pata]

2 hours ago, 80 said:

Ordinarily I'd probably agree. I've kept thinking about posting this but I'm not sure where or when to do it. But I'd be very interested to see what the input of Bunce is on our fitness decisions.

 

Particularly lately I've noticed some slightly odd looking decisions re: who is or isn't subbed/rested, and I've wondered if that's being influenced by his view on what the players can manage, or even if they're now receiving adjusted training levels. I remember an interview from him a while back where he said contrary to popular belief, he's sometimes saying players need to be worked harder to get the best out of them. 

 

I could be misremembering, but I don't recall Murphy constantly being an early sub in previous seasons, but he is now, and I wonder if that's a factor in him keeping his form up.

 

Yeah, Klopp often brought on Salah for 30 minutes in matches where they were leading 5-0. Or playing him the full 90 in dead rubbers. Murphy usually being the first one subbed off rarely makes sense to me as I would much rather see Gordon or Isak getting rested. I have no idea what is optimal nowadays but have full trust in Bunce/Howe.

[M1tche]

Stuff like that is definitely part of the management of the player, when players like Murphy are getting nearer the 85%s, it's time to recharge, where an 85% Isak is still class, I believe that's why it's being done. 

[AyeDubbleYoo]

I also believe Isak is being stretched out a little for his stamina. He never used to be able to play effectively for more than about 60 minutes. A bit risky of course. 

[Mike]

2 minutes ago, AyeDubbleYoo said:

I also believe Isak is being stretched out a little for his stamina. He never used to be able to play effectively for more than about 60 minutes. A bit risky of course. 

 

It seems like he's been getting better at using his stamina, or it might be a byproduct of his trust in Murphy and having Bruno farther up the pitch. He hasn't been absolutely shattered on his feet in ages.