Re: The fitness question
Holdsworth_MaraSonnerFitness isn’t a completely homogenous thing. I think the team was actually pretty fit under Eustace but we were playing a low to mid block and then attacking on the counter, which means people are having to hit peak exertion periodically on the counter.
A high press probably necessitates being at 80% of peak heart rate for the majority of the game. It’s a slightly different energy system.
Basically this.
Rooney’s style demands a much higher level of fitness. It’s not to say they were poorly conditioned under Eustace, just that they didn’t require as high fitness levels.
Look at Leeds under Bielsa for example, and to a certain extent under Farke aswell.
In order for this style to work we need to be a lot better when in possession. This is when players get chance to recover. If we’re busting a gut when out of possession but losing it almost instantly then that’s a recipe for disaster.