When presented with the question whether his extensive training sessions during the international break had an adverse effect on the players fitness this afternoon, Alan Irvine admitted that it is something that is going to be looked into.
In a bid to keep the players sharp during the international break, Alan Irvine put his players through a gruelling training schedule much like he did during pre-season. However, Irvine revealed that he is going to meet with the players to discuss whether or not his rigorous training had played a part in game on Saturday.
"I hope that is not the case, if it is then clearly that is something we will look at"
"I felt it was another opportunity to work the lads hard as you don't get that many opportunities to do that in the Championship for very many weeks because of all the games you have to play"
"A lot of the time you are simply recovering when you have to give people a rest and then secondly to try and top up their fitness in any way they possibly can"
"I will have a chat with the boys and if they feel that there was an edge taken off them by the amount of work we have done then that's something we will address in the future"
"We all want to get it right, there is a fine balance in how hard you work them and how much rest you give them"