Growing concerns about the standards at the West Ham’s training ground include Slaven’s promise that Rush Green is family friendly for wives, girlfriends, kids and even dogs to visit to make the players feel at ease.
Some now believe that regime is too soft and Bilic is sometimes too nice.
Players have been allowed to bring their wives, girlfriends and children to training still the start of the season and it has led to concerns about whether they are showing the intensity that is needed to prosper in the Premier League.
Bilic said previously: ‘I said at the beginning of the season, when we moved into our newly refurbished training ground, that I wanted to create an environment where players felt comfortable spending time there before and after training, and would be happy to bring their kids sometimes. I am completely content with the balance of hard work and the welcoming environment of Rush Green Training Ground.’
At the end at September a West Ham United spokesperson said: ‘We categorically refute the claim that there are concerns with standards at the club’s training base Rush Green.’
However, the view is growing that the workplace is the workplace and that such a ‘family friendly’ atmosphere could be working against the intense standards of training required.
Interesting article. Could use some grammatical editing though.
Umm, this does seem to be ridiculous – the workplace is no place for kids, wags, dogs or any other distraction – the workplace is for work, it makes you wonder about the mentality of whoever thought this idea up!
Another thought that has occurred to me is if people like Slaven Bilic and Julian Dicks are physically up to being out on the Training pitch, both of them hobble about badly and would be physically incapable of spending any length of time on the pitch – and isn’t the Fitness Coach 69 years old or something like that – he may be a fitness fanatic but at 69 years old shouldn’t he be at home watching Countdown!
What countdown to possible relegation dog fight?