Neil Critchley's High Standards

CalderwoodCritchleyWon’t

Well-known member
What you're all going to notice about our new Head Coach, is how high he will set the bar with his expectations of his players, particularly when it comes to fitness.
After the Fleetwood game, he publicly praised the efforts of the players (understandable obviously)
Behind closed doors, he was extremely disappointed with their condition, they were nowhere near where he wanted them to be. The previous coaching regime had been archaic in how they'd gone about training and he immediately started improving things. Coming from Liverpool FC, you would expect him to have high expectations and standards, but from what I've been told, he will not accept anything less than total athleticism and dedication.
I assume this is why we have a new head of sports science and a new physio coming in.
I think we could be on the verge of a very good season with some some really good football played with energy and pace.What you're all going to notice about our new Head Coach, is how high he will set the bar with his expectations of his players, particularly when it comes to fitness.
After the Fleetwood game, he publicly praised the efforts of the players (understandable obviously)
Behind closed doors, he was extremely disappointed with their condition, they were nowhere near where he wanted them to be. The previous coaching regime had been archaic in how they'd gone about training and he immediately started improving things. Coming from Liverpool FC, you would expect him to have high expectations and standards, but from what I've been told, he will not accept anything less than total athleticism and dedication.
I assume this is why we have a new head of sports science and a new physio coming in.
I think we could be on the verge of a very good season with some some really good football played with energy and pace.
 
When Emlyn Hughes went to Liverpool back in the 60’s, he said that he was left exhausted by their training regime.
He was only 19 and thought he was fit.
He said it took him weeks to catch up to the others. 💀
 
In the two games he was in charge you could see in glimpses what we were trying to play (especially after our goal against Tranmere) but the players were nowhere near fit enough. If the players can match his fitness standards this season I’m hoping they’ll be a lot of exciting games from our point of view
 
Behind closed doors, he was extremely disappointed with their condition, they were nowhere near where he wanted them to be. The previous coaching regime had been archaic in how they'd gone about training and he immediately started improving things. Coming from Liverpool FC, you would expect him to have high expectations and standards, but from what I've been told, he will not accept anything less than total athleticism and dedication.
I assume this is why we have a new head of sports science and a new physio coming in.
Don't want to totally disrespect Grayson but I always thought he came with a 'can't be arsed' attitude - can imagine that translated to the training ground as well tbh.
 
He was handed a managerial life line here, started off ok, but the pressure got to him. A gamble that didn’t pay off and in someways I think he will have a happier life outside of football management. Never underestimate the mental demons and the pressure they bring to bear.
 
Not a dig at Critchley, but I never really believe the line that players weren’t fit enough. It’s an easy thing to throw out there and supporters always buy it, but a coach/manager it’s the one thing I know that I can be sure of, irrespective of the quality of my players. I doubt there’s any coach that doesn’t do everything they can to ensure this is as good as it can be.
 
If you take the average AVFTT poster on the political forum - It’s often moan, whinge, doom and gloom merchant, negative and abusive types - Thankfully you rarely see them post here about BFC!

It’s so nice to read on this side of the board lots of positivity about BFC and what’s happening behind the scenes by all accounts, sounds like a really brighter future all round, for the Club!

I do like the idea that Critchley will have in his favour than most, such a wealth of knowledge in the potentially up and coming younger players from his u23 knowledge. I’ve always felt budget and status wise BFC should look to picking off Premier League academy types.
 
Ok - it's just you said:

"What you're all going to notice about our new Head Coach, is how high he will set the bar with his expectations of his players, particularly when it comes to fitness."

You'd only say something like that if you knew or had knowledge of Neil Critchley or his coaching.
 
Ok - it's just you said:

"What you're all going to notice about our new Head Coach, is how high he will set the bar with his expectations of his players, particularly when it comes to fitness."

You'd only say something like that if you knew or had knowledge of Neil Critchley or his coaching.

I do have a little knowledge of his methods and principles from a coach at the Liverpool end.
The information about his disappointment at the fitness levels when he came to the club, were passed on to me by someone who witnessed him saying it to the squad after the cods game.
 
I seem to remember the Plymouth manager commenting on how unfit Hardie was after arriving there on loan.
 
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