Big Sam slams Hammers' fitness

20 July 2011 13:38
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has admitted he was shocked by how unfit his first-team squad were.[LNB] Allardyce has always placed a major emphasis on high fitness levels at his previous clubs, particularly during his successful spell at Bolton, but he has not been impressed since taking over at Upton Park.[LNB]"Fitness has always been a massive part of football but never more so than now," he told Skysports.com. "If you haven't got the capabilities of an athlete, you can't be a top footballer.[LNB]"I've looked at their stats and it doesn't reflect well physically. It wasn't great. I was shocked considering the size of the squad and the quality of the players, many of whom were internationals. They really should have been pulling out much more.[LNB]"You look at their ability to perform at a high intensity and their sprint distances which is the level of speed needed to create the opportunities to win football matches.[LNB]"Compared to the levels at Blackburn and Bolton, they weren't good."

Source: Team_Talk