Curtains Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 McClaren: “We Must Be Refreshed And Ready To Go” Steve McClaren says it is important that Derby County’s players utilise their unwanted premature end to the 2014/15 season to their advantage next time around.It is key that we have everyone full of energy and ready to tackle the season ahead."Steve McClarenDerby were hoping to be part of the Sky Bet Championship’s Play-Offs for the second successive season during this month. However, a 3-0 loss to Reading on the final day of the season saw Derby’s season come to an end at the beginning of May. In the aftermath of the defeat, McClaren felt that his side ran out of steam and were suffering from fatigue in the final stages of the campaign, winning two of their last 13 matches. The Rams’ Head Coach wants his players to make the most of the unexpected and extended summer break to return for work towards the end of June refreshed and raring to go. A year ago, the squad only managed to take in a brief post-season break as a result of reaching last season’s Play-Off Final – but this time around they will have a prolonged spell to recharge their batteries. image: http://www.dcfc.co.uk/cms_images/player/insert-mcclarenreadinghome129-2436486.jpg[INSERT-McClarenReadingHome] McClaren told Rams Player: “The players will now get six or seven weeks' break to get refreshed and ready to go again. “It is important that they come back refreshed, re-charged and determined to hit the ground running. “It is key that we have everyone full of energy and ready to tackle the season ahead. “The amount of effort that it has taken from the players to be in the race for promotion in the last two seasons has been incredible. “It took a lot out of them to recover from the heartbreak of losing the Play-Off Final at Wembley a year ago and then get themselves going again in the season which has just finished.” He added: “It’s a shame we ran out of steam on the last lap but we have spoken with the Sports Science and Medical teams in recent days to look at things. “We hope the long rest and a good pre-season will benefit us, as well as the work of our recruitment department when it comes to improving the squad in certain areas. “We believe that with the two of those factors combining – and a good pre-season – we can hit the ground running next season and get off to a good start.” McClaren has also moved to stress that the summer is the perfect opportunity for Derby’s management and players to reflect on the 2014/15 campaign, both from a positive and negative point of view. image: http://www.dcfc.co.uk/cms_images/player/insert-mcclarenclosenorwich129-2373233.jpg[INSERT-McClarenCloseNorwich] He feels that the summer months are a prime opportunity for the Rams to ‘get back on track’ and regain the momentum that they couldn’t find in the closing months of the season. “We have a damn good club, a good team and we will be ready and raring to go next season,” he said. “Getting back on track is the most important thing. “We must reflect, of course, but also remember the good times and the good things that we did. “I really thought that we could achieve what we wanted to achieve – which was promotion to the Premier League – but injuries came thick and fast to key and experienced players. “We lost our momentum and it kind of derailed us; we failed to get back on the track.” On the injuries that hit Derby throughout the season, but largely in the final months of the campaign, the Head Coach added: “Injuries are not an excuse, they are a reason and of course we need to look why we picked them up. “We are looking to address things, keep this group together and add to it where we can to go again next season.”Read more at http://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/article/mcclaren-we-must-be-refreshed-and-ready-to-go-2455855.aspx#1U1X6AhedlIOIweR.99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Van der MoodHoover Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 Mac mentions "good pre-season" twice but doesn't give any clue as to whether and if so how they might do things differently this time around.Perhaps back to a pre-season tour that doesn't venture more than 15 miles from the iPRO instead of some continental European boot-camp with some matches laced with Slavic thuggery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tombo Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 I'm guessing no mud fights on Austrian sludgebath surfaces this coming pre-season then? That can be somewhat zapping to the old energy levels I hear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t'oldu Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 The gathering momentum 'run in '2014 benefitted from Nigel's preseason - the last miserable 2 months were based on Steve's . Perhaps someone should take a leaf out of his predecessors book ?! Lots of running and keep it simple and local. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Teale Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 The gathering momentum 'run in '2014 benefitted from Nigel's preseason - the last miserable 2 months were based on Steve's . Perhaps someone should take a leaf out of his predecessors book ?! Lots of running and keep it simple and local.What had happened the previous seasons under Clough when we always finished playing poorly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Scarlet Pimpernel Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 Nigel went in for lots of team building with the squad doing all sorts of cliff climbing, swimming, rafting etc. Very good for team morale and gets them laughing & joking together.If any big time Charlie (in his own mind) cant swim it brings them down a peg or two.I'm all in favour. Cant see Mac doing it though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tombo Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 Nigel went in for lots of team building with the squad doing all sorts of cliff climbing, swimming, rafting etc. Very good for team morale and gets them laughing & joking together.If any big time Charlie (in his own mind) cant swim it brings them down a peg or two.I'm all in favour. Cant see Mac doing it though.Well yep, this team plays best when the morale and team spirit is good. When they can laugh and joke and mess around on twitter throughout the season. Where have all the tweeters gone? They daren't say a word anymore. Has the criticism silenced them or have the club told them to keep it shut?I am worried about our team spirit. It was so good but I can't forget what McClaren said at the Q&A, that some of them hate the manager because they don't get picked, some are loyal only to themselves, and some are arsekissers who would have a shiny apple for the next guy who came in. So they're all either impatient, selfish, or suckups. There's clearly some discord in the dressing room. Maybe not teacups thrown about as has been suggested, but certainly not what it once was.So yes, they need to come back 'refreshed' but they also need to come back happy, smiling and free, ready to play together for the team and each other. Not depressed, moody and restricted by the management as they were last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddie Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 What had happened the previous seasons under Clough when we always finished playing poorlyToldu suffers from selective memory loss - leave him alone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inverurie Ram Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 Well yep, this team plays best when the morale and team spirit is good. When they can laugh and joke and mess around on twitter throughout the season. Where have all the tweeters gone? They daren't say a word anymore. Has the criticism silenced them or have the club told them to keep it shut? I am worried about our team spirit. It was so good but I can't forget what McClaren said at the Q&A, that some of them hate the manager because they don't get picked, some are loyal only to themselves, and some are arsekissers who would have a shiny apple for the next guy who came in. So they're all either impatient, selfish, or suckups. There's clearly some discord in the dressing room. Maybe not teacups thrown about as has been suggested, but certainly not what it once was. So yes, they need to come back 'refreshed' but they also need to come back happy, smiling and free, ready to play together for the team and each other. Not depressed, moody and restricted by the management as they were last year. Yes and here's hoping SM comes back 'refreshed' ready to play his part together for the team and each other. And wasn't it all more enjoyable when Rush & Vicars were happy, smiling and free........ "So what are we gonna do now.........." The Clash - Clampdown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramblur Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 Toldu suffers from selective memory loss - leave him alone.For all those who suffer from selective memory loss,here are the results from the 12/13 and 11/12 seasons (working from 13'th last game to last):-12/13 :- LLDLWWWLLDWLW 11/12:- WLWWLWDDWLLWD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Van der MoodHoover Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 well I'm off out in t'City now to get "refreshed" and I daresay in an hour or two I will be "ready to go". Schteeve.....sign me up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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