Interview: Pearson assesses his squad, new signings and injuries latest

Fitness and footwork

Behind-the-scenes footage from the first few days of pre-season - as explained by Head of Medical Performance Dave Rennie - showed the high demands which have been set: SDS tests (Single-Double-Single) running to check the players’ aerobic ability, Heart Rate Variability (HRV) tests to check variations between heartbeats and CMJ (Counter Movement Jump) tests to monitor power levels.

The players have also had the familiarity of balls back at their feet as part of their daily sessions at the Robins High Performance Centre.

“We try to combine it,” said Pearson. “We have a number of runs which are a test of fitness and character but they’re always devised so we can measure the players’ fitness. It’s always good to get plenty of touches of the ball but the players are fully aware of our expectations are and that’s we need to be fitter than we were last year.”

New recruits

He’s also working with a different-looking squad after a number of players left the club at the end of their contracts, while Pearson has since been reunited with former Leicester City teammates Andy King and Matty James – both Premier League winners from their time with the Foxes.

Young centre-back Rob Atkinson arrived from Oxford United and there’s excitement within the camp with new competitions for places.

Pearson continued: “It’s good to get a different feel about the place as well, additions come in and a number of players left. That in itself creates opportunities for others to make their move in the squad.

“It’s good to have a compact unit, I don’t want too many players floating around the place but the challenge there is to keep them fit. Without going over old ground, we know we had too many injuries last year and just because players have come back in good condition means we can ease off the intensity of training if we need to. When we get into the pre-season games the players will know they are then in competition with each other.”

He added both King and James have “brought in exactly what we hoped they would” adding the pair “bring experience, know-how and professional drive. When you watch them train, they’ll help enhance what we already have. We have a number of very talented young players but it’s difficult for them to find solutions on the pitch sometimes, and you’ve got experienced players alongside them so it’s about getting the blend right.

“Rob has come in and he’s a bit behind the rest of the squad fitness-wise but he’s a character and even in his few days training we’ve seen enough to suggest he’ll do exactly what we expect from him.

“To have Nathan Baker back as well is a real bonus and testament to him he was prepared to negotiate on lower terms which shows his personal commitment to what we’re trying to do. That was a pleasant surprise. Andi Weimann is in great condition as well, so all those things together feel like positive moves for us - so far, so good.”

Loughborough training camp

Next Wednesday (July 14^th) will see the Robins face their first pre-season opponents when Celtic visit the HPC, before the squad then depart for a five-day training camp in Loughborough. Tomas Kalas and Nahki Wells will not be travelling with the squad due to their recent international commitments.

“It will be good because we’ll be in each other’s pockets and I don’t like long pre-season trips,” Pearson explained. “Do I enjoy them myself? It’s more observational time for me and honestly, I dislike pre-season as much as the players but it’s a necessity and an opportunity to work with the players, for the coaches to get their messages across, so it’s a pivotal part to most seasons!

“Bearing in mind I don’t think our players had a good enough pre-season last year, it’s important we get this right to give us the best chance of a successful season…it’s about peaking for when the season starts.”

Injury update

And as for when the new season campaign comes around – in just over four weeks’ time – Pearson hopes to have a near-fit squad.

Antoine Semenyo, Robbie Cundy and Louis Britton (all knee) are currently in rehabilitation, while there is encouraging news for midfielder Joe Williams who so far has had limited play time since he joined City a year ago due to respective injuries.

“They’re all making progress and will be available when Dave (Rennie) and his medical staff decide,” said Pearson. “What people have to remember is players don’t go from being injured to straight back in. There’s a management of players with a history of knocks or weaknesses within their bodies and we have to manage that over a long period of time.

“Joe hasn’t been with us but he will be fine for the start of the season, I’m sure. It’s important after a long-term spell out of the game that when he comes back in he stays, so he’s making great progress.

“We don’t see him as someone who we’ll have problems with and we’re looking forward to having him available. The important thing for us now is to try to avoid unnecessary injuries, so that’s where we have to manage the load in pre-season.

“You’ll always pick up injuries and knocks. I want our players to train like we play and that’s with high energy, so you can’t avoid contact injuries. If we pick up one or two up then fine, we’ll deal with it.

“We’re doing okay so far, 10 days in and the players have committed to it. For those who don’t that’s their choice, so we’ll see where we are when the season starts.”