Perhaps this wasn't worth starting a new thread for, but I've been concerned at our lack of games pre-season compared to some of the other top teams in the league we'll by vying for the title with.

Maybe we should have organised some extra games back at home to get the squad gelling and back in shape prior to the CS. 

Thoughts everyone? Too much or too little in terms of games so far? 

Too little. Four matches, one being a behind closed doors match, is simply not enough preparation for a team competing in four different competitions this season. There should definitely have been at least two more matches, even if these matches were against local sides

Results against the European teams were sh*t and the performance also. Really need to step up when the season comes around. The Charity Shield should give an indication of where the fitness is at. 

I'm ok if we lost the Charity Shield provided our fitness levels are very good or at a decent enough level.

I'm rooting for the win ofc

Edited August 3, 20178 yr by Deino

We did the same two years ago and it worked out terribly. I'm not sure i understand the thinking behind such short pre season's. We will be behind every other team when it comes to fitness and the new players would have had no time to get used to playing football matches with their new team mates.

Only played five pre-season games last year, two in Austria and three is US.  So if we are counting Community Shield as a friendly then it's the same as last year.  I think Conte just likes to work them really hard on the training pitch.  

In Antonio we trust. 

12 minutes ago, fester said:

Only played five pre-season games last year, two in Austria and three is US.  So if we are counting Community Shield as a friendly then it's the same as last year.  I think Conte just likes to work them really hard on the training pitch.  

You missed the one in Germany against Bremen. There was also a game against "Atus Ferlach" but I dunno how much that counts.

Good point though.

Still don't think enough players have had 90 minutes. I know the double sessions are tough. But game time is where you get your sharpness for the season.

Seems to be not enough games. I keep saying there should be some against lower division opposition. Then again, People say the games mean nothing anyway. Maybe they are doing different things that we do not know about in training. We have to trust the manager.

Last season we had no European games, this season we have a lot of games to play, a crammed pre-season wouldn't be helpful in the long haul ahead.

9 hours ago, coco said:

Last season we had no European games, this season we have a lot of games to play, a crammed pre-season wouldn't be helpful in the long haul ahead.

especially given the way Conte trains the players

Seems very short, and it's left me worried. I'm expecting us to lose the CS on Sunday, and we have a horrible run of games to start the season. We need Eden back as quickly as possible.