Concerns surrounding the training programme headed up by Steve Bruce continue to swirl with the club in the middle of a relegation scrap.
What’s the story?
According to the Daily Mail, the inquest on the training ground over Newcastle’s latest missed chance to dig themselves out of trouble following their 3-0 defeat against Brighton will not happen until three days after the match – on Tuesday.
That is because Steve Bruce has scheduled six days off from nine for his Newcastle squad in what represents a generous amount of rest despite the present crisis.
The Mail notes previous indications that there was grumblings of discontent from the players behind the scenes who felt the lax training regimen was too thin and did not offer a competitive amount of preparation compared to league rivals.
The players were reportedly given days off on Monday and on Sunday and will return to the training ground on Tuesday, three days after the Brighton loss.
Mail sources claim that Steve Bruce has also offered indications that there are plans to give the squad four days off over the coming weekend, from Friday through to Monday.
The Verdict
The issues behind the scenes with training represent a shambolically lazy regimen that renders Newcastle’s rest, recovery and practice as blunt in comparison to league rivals.
Even off the training pitch for the core of the week between games, clubs typically schedule endurance and recovery exercises that ensure peak physical performance.
It is unclear as to how much physical work and match-related exercises happen at Newcastle, and how it fits in across the week. Regardless, the development will only exacerbate concerns.
