Glyn Hodges said that he has been working hard with his backroom staff to ensure that the squad are ready if this season’s fixtures are concluded.
Guidelines from the EFL last week advised that the recommencement of training sessions should not start until May 16 “at the earliest” due to COVID-19 with the health and safety of everyone involved as the priority. However, our manager, in collaboration with Sports Scientist Chris McConnell and the rest of his coaching team, have been keeping the players ticking over. Using video communications platform Zoom has helped to improve interaction amongst the squad, according to Glyn.
“We had a big meeting on Zoom to go through clips from the season and we are going through some analysis stuff,” said Glyn. “The players can still keep their fitness up, but they can also do the tactical stuff as well. We are giving them tasks to do and keeping in regular contact with the players. There has been talk of players having a rest and not doing anything until we come back, but I’m not sure they want to do that. It’s driving me mad not doing stuff, but at least I can get out and do a bit of exercise. We are aiming to keep them going. They are also doing weights sessions with Chris McConnell. They are all doing that together on Zoom and having a bit of banter on there. They are all pleased to see each other. There is stuff we are doing, and it is as much as we can do at this current time.
“Zoom has been brilliant to use. To start with we had meetings with the boys, showing them how to use it. We’ve done that with our video analysts Fred and Michael. Chris is doing his weights sessions through it as well. That is great as it keeps the players interacting with each other at this difficult time.
“If we do get to play these nine games we want to be ready. We will do some positive clips by showing them their strengths, but we will also go through clips from the opposition and players they are scheduled to come up against. Our players can have a look at them. Our players can look at the opponents that they are directly up against. It will just mean that when it restarts we will be ready. We will have a lot of knowledge of what we are up against. Sometimes the turnaround between games is so quick that you don’t get as much time as you would like to study and watch the opposition, but we have more time on our hands now.”
First-team video analyst Fred Reardon said: "During the period off, myself and Michael have worked closely with the gaffer and the rest of the coaches to provide the players with bits to do at home through the use of our HUDL video analysis platform. It has enabled us as analysts to share clips and presentations with the rest of the staff and the players. The platform has allowed for us to set tasks for the players individually and in small working groups that can be created on the platform, the tasks have allowed for the lads to engage with one another as well as the coaches.
"For us as analysts, its work as normal with more time! We are still working hard watching the opposition as usual, as well as assisting the recruitment department."