The Town squad left Portman Road earlier this week with their own individual fitness plans ahead of an usually long close season. The Blues' Championship campaign was over by the end of April, while 2012/13 is delayed due to the Olympics and kicks off with a Carling Cup clash on Tuesday 14th August with the Championship programme starting four days later.

Manager Paul Jewell says he and fitness coach Andy Liddell have worked out schemes for each of the players: “It’s a long summer, so we can’t just give them 10 weeks off, we’ve got to give them an individual plan.

“I’ve sat down with the fitness coach and gone through all the data and there are certain players who need to improve on certain things and that’s what they’re going to be working on.

“Players need a rest, there’s no doubt about that but you can’t just give them 10 weeks off and each and every player knows what’s going to be expected of them before they come back in."

Jewell feels that certain members of his squad need to be sent away for additional work: “There will be at least a couple of players who will be going away, shall we say, for holidays in inverted commas, but that’s only to improve their fitness and their mental strength.

“It’s not punishment, it’s to make them better players. I want them to embrace it. We’re doing it for their benefit because we’ve got some good players here and the fitter you are the better player you’re going to be.”

One of those will be striker Michael Chopra after a difficult first season at Portman Road in which he spent time in the Sporting Chance Clinic as he addressed his gambling problems but still managed 14 goals: “We will be sending him away to a retreat to get him in better shape.

“I have told him it is a huge close season for him. We can send him places and do all we can and we will always have someone helping him 24 hours a day, but he has to want to do it.”

The Blues boss says his and Liddell’s assessment of the squad was partly drawn from the team’s impressive recent Prozone statistics: “It’s quite unbelievable. We had all the Prozone stats through from March and I wish the Prozone stats were the league table because we were top in all aspects of physicality except one, where we’re third.

“Each and every player is going to be monitored and have a programme selected for them on their performances on Prozone.

“Every month we get the data through and we’re never out of the top four, but there’s a bit more to it than just that."

Photo: Action Images

youidiots added 14:19 - May 5 I think jason Scotland is beyond help. Good on him too but he needs to realise he doesn't have the pace he used to and adapt his game. But I think PJ is singing the right tunes at the moment for sure
0

righty added 16:01 - May 5 Bobblehat I apologize yes I did say I wont rant anymore really I wont well I mght now and then I cant help it sorry!!!!!!!!!!!!
0

Garv added 16:08 - May 5 I'm glad that we brought Chopra to the club, because he's what we've missed for about 6 years, he just needs to get himself in gear, and maybe a strike partner, although he has shown he can do it without a partner. He is incredibly annoying to watch, because a lot of the time he just looks like a poor footballer (poor touch, slow), but the fact is he's still scored 14 goals. With a bit of a push he could reach 20+ goals over a season. A proper summer fitness programme will help, no doubt.

0

Dozzells_Bobblehat added 16:08 - May 5 Righty - admitting u have a problem is the first step, well done. Now stand up and , my name is righty and I'm a rantaholic.
0

righty added 16:25 - May 5 Ok mate be my mentor to love Jewell
0

walberswick added 17:30 - May 5 walberswick, you're fired
0

rexron added 22:24 - May 5 Hope Jewell play a lot of chess in the summer. To get his tactics right.
0

Tractastic added 00:58 - May 6 Totally agree Garv, Chops with a good partner(tall target man)and dare i say it without the distraction of Bullard and he has the ability to be a 20 goal plus a season player definitely. Its a big summer for the club.Fingers crossed we can get the right personnel in. An early fitness programme for those who need it is a good start to getting the best out of our under performing players for the new season.COYB.

0

Suzanna_Gekkaloys added 02:15 - May 6 'Professional football team to keep fit over summer'. Thanks for that. Looks like everything's going to be OK after all.
0

michaeldownunder added 08:07 - May 6 Chopra had a poor season? He scored 14 goals in a team that was very poor for most of the season as for 4-4-2 I like 4-2-3-1, this way we put pressure on the other teams defence and attack has always been the best form of defence. Maybe some of the moaning fans on this site need a few days away in special place !!!!!!!
0

walberswick added 10:32 - May 6 We are the best at running round like headless chickens. Well done. Chopras has over achieved, he averages 10 goals a season.
0

brian_a_mul added 11:38 - May 6 Chops has the positioning ability all good poachers need. Plus he can play off the shoulder of the defenders and likes to run in behind. If he comes back fully fit and confident I think he will be a real threat. With a fully fit JET, Chops and Martin, our attack will really push the opposition back relieving pressure on midfield/def. This was a huge problem for us early last season, we were toothless up front (lacked fitness/confidence up front) and teams pinned us back. The latter part of the season we had a far more threathening attack which helped the whole team!

0

Keaneish added 17:33 - May 6 Chopra, jimmy, Carson and maybe Stephenson for fitness? If we can get a fresh, lean, hungry Chopra and jimmy back I'll be happy!
0

Keaneish added 17:35 - May 6 Chopra, jimmy, Carson and maybe Stephenson for fitness? If we can get a fresh, lean, hungry Chopra and jimmy back I'll be happy!
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls