da gbg bet： [ad_pod ]
da bet vitoria： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Speaking to episode 68 of the Inside Elland Road podcast, Graham Smyth has labelled his concerns over Pablo Hernandez and his fitness.
What’s he said?
Hernandez was withdrawn with just over 15 minutes remaining against Derby last weekend as he was replaced by Barry Douglas.
Marcelo Bielsa brushed off questions about his fitness after the game as he suggested there was no injury but that hasn’t stopped a discussion taking place over whether has the capabilities to last during matches.
The Spaniard has been involved in four goals in eight matches this term so there is still quality left in him. For how much longer, however, is the real question lingering around the former Swansea man.
Appearing on the YEP podcast, Smyth detailed the following:
“Pablo would be the interesting one because it’s a natural question for a 34-year-old – how much football and relentless pressing and breakneck football has he got left in his legs? He is an absolute athlete but he’s 34, if he plays as much football this season as he did last that’s another big ask and then of course to extend the contract – which I can fully understand – he’s a magic man and he produces but you’d think he’d have to be managed perhaps in a slightly different way.
“Maybe not this season, maybe he’s got a full season of playing full-tilt football in his legs but as the older he gets, you can’t defy science. There’s no way around the ageing process even for a super fit man like him. You think would he be able to start every game and play 90 minutes twice a week through the winter when he’s already played so much football?”
Hernandez could become a dilemma
It remains to be seen whether the experienced head has what it takes to play out a similar season to 2018/19.
He was absolutely phenomenal in Leeds’ run to the playoffs as he contributed to 24 goals in the Championship alone.
Hernandez was certainly their magic man but there have been a few signs of some dwindling performances this term – particularly against Derby where he failed to register a shot at goal for the first time in 2019/20.
At the age of 34 concerns are right to be there over his fitness and as the campaign plays out he may have to be managed carefully, certainly when the Whites play two games in a week.
It might be that moving him inside and playing behind the striker is a good way forward. That would mean he wouldn’t have to get up and down the channel constantly throughout 90 minutes. Instead, he could sit in a creative role that doesn’t require him to defend.