Hibs: Final Answer

Published on Monday 23 November 2009 08:39

Is John Hughes right to increase training regimes for Hibs' youth players?

Brian Gallacher, Linlithgow: "I certainly believe Yogi is correct to have the younger lads work harder and longer but he shouldn't stop there. The first-team squad should all be back in the afternoons practising dead ball situations, improving identified weaknesses – ie poor headers, weaker left foot, trapping of passes. Make us the best Yogi!"

Christine K Knox: "Burnout? I wish my boss worried about me burning out working 40 hours plus overtime each week. Great idea from Yogi, it ensures the boys develop and achieve as much as possible and learn good habits and realise they, like all workers, need to put the work in to achieve success. Too many players arrive at 9.30, two hours work then off home, then we hear about players being tired."

David Wallace, Musselburgh: "Yogi is right to work the youngsters hard as there is no chance of burnout because there will be rest days as they will not be training seven days a week. Those rest days are just as important as the full day training sessions as that is when their bodies will replenish energy supplies and repair.

"Anyone who has trained hard for seven consecutive days without rest will testify that it's pointless as no matter how fit you are you can only do so much at your peak before you wane.

"They will be at peak fitness and their performance levels will be as high as they are capable of. Another benefit will be that they will be encouraged through this work ethos to live their lives in a truly professional manner or fall by the wayside if they don't."

Gav Hughes, Newhaven: "Yogi is correct to work the players hard, the young guys today have a hard time coping with all that's involved with not only being a football player but having to live up to these expectations that goes with it. If Yogi can give them a good football education by working them hard then they will be more likely to succeed at Hibs. And if they don't make the grade, having been part of Hibernian's school of excellence will mean future employers will know these players have had a good background.

"It will also help theses players become decent men as well as footballers and any parent will tell you that that's what they really want for the kids."