Mark Robins approaches Stoke City’s “strange” fitness issue in an antiquated manner.

Mark Robins is reevaluating how to best manage Stoke City’s fitness levels both in the

short and long term after watching players suffer cramps over the weekend. Since taking

over on New Year’s Day, Robins has been using a small first team roster because several

potential starters have been sidelined due to injury, and some players were clearly tired

after playing 120 minutes in the FA Cup at home against Cardiff on Saturday.

The Stoke manager has had to consider a quick turnaround for a league trip to Bristol City

on Wednesday (7.45pm) as well as the anticipated return of some senior men over the

next week or so to help share the load.

To be truthful, it’s a little odd when individuals suffer cramps or something like that,

Robins remarked. There is nothing like traditional running, but you also need to consider

the electrolyte and other nutrients they consume.

When the pressure is on to run, it might drain you much more quickly if you’re not used to

doing it or with the same level of intensity.

We also need to make changes to those things over time. We must now finish the games,

but it is disheartening that so many players are suffering from cramps.

Does the pitch have a lot of weight? Could we try customizing the training? How’s the pitch at the