‘Oldies’ get special treatment as Fulham try to fight off fatigue

 
PA
Giuseppe Muro16 December 2013

Fulham have given Scott Parker, Giorgos Karagounis and Steve Sidwell a special training schedule to help the midfielders cope with the busy festive period.

Rene Meulensteen and the club’s medical staff have devised a strict programme that is geared towards managing their fitness, with the club facing five games in 14 days.

Parker, 33 (above, right), Karagounis, 36, and Sidwell, 30, have been a big factor behind Fulham’s fight for survival in recent weeks and Meulensteen is keen to safeguard against fatigue.

It is hoped the schedule will help keep the trio fully fit as Fulham, who were beaten 4-1 at Everton on Saturday, bid to pull clear of the relegation zone.

“You manage the squad in three different stages: the players above 30, the players between 25-30 and the younger ones,” said head coach Meulensteen. “They all need a different approach to make sure they are ready to perform to the best they can. The Christmas period it is challenging for the whole squad, not only the older players.”

Meulensteen feels the scoreline at Goodison Park was harsh on Fulham but is encouraged by what he has seen since replacing Martin Jol two weeks ago.

Fulham host Manchester City on Saturday before away games against Norwich and Hull after Christmas and Meulensteen said: “The training and the application of the players has been fantastic.

“Saturday looked, if you saw the scoreline, like we were on our knees but that was not the case. We kept the ball well enough but without asking too many questions.”

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