Not too many years ago, footballers used to return for pre-season more than a few pounds overweight, happy to sweat off the excess by pounding the miles.
How times have changed. At Compton yesterday, powerful Wolves full-back George Elokobi revealed he has shed six and a half pounds – before the real work has even begun.
Such is the diligence of the players sticking rigidly to fitness coach Tony Daley’s individually-tailored programmes, that the squad returned ready for the rigours of pre-season.
Recent pictures of Ronaldinho show the Brazilian playmaker appears to have piled on the pounds.
The Samba master surely wouldn’t have had the same problems under former Wolves, Villa and England winger Daley’s rigid regime.
It has come at a price, as Elokobi admitted he hasn’t been looking forward to the hard slog.
He said: “For the past three weeks I’ve thought of nothing else but pre-season – it’s been on my mind first thing in the morning and last thing at night.”
“But it’s good to be back and it’s good to start working with the boys again.
“I just feel better – I’ve lost almost three kilos (six-and-a-half lbs) in weight compared to the end of the season which is good.
“I used to weigh 90 kilos but I came in and 87.1 which is good, I feel more mobile and athletic.
“I stuck to my off-season programme given to us by ‘Dales’ and I’m come back in good shape.
“I’m looking to develop my game – first and foremost I’m a defender, but I also want to go on the overlap more and put in decent crosses to enable the strikers and wingers to score.
“That can only be a bonus to me and the team and I’m looking forward to being able to do that.”
Elokobi feels the work at Wolves is more intense than what he’s undertaken at previous club Colchester.
He added that Daley is easing the players back in to avoid injuries.
He said: “It’s more intense here because we are training every day or every other day and you still have enough time to recover before your next run.
“It’s not been that hard yet – ‘Dales’ is easing us back in to avoid injuries. With with the work we’re doing in pre-season, we will be in even better shape.
“I feel more prepared for the work ahead than when I was at Colchester.
“We were given a programme to stick to and I felt prepared for the season when I was there.
“Coming here, it’s a different programme. I’ve tried to follow it and I feel good about myself and I’m looking forward to the season.”
“Different fitness coaches do different things, but I feel this summer I’ve done fewer weights and more running.
“The running wasn’t really hard – it was moderate, but with Tony’s programme, I might have been running every day then have a day off.
“With the Colchester one, we trained Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and then had the weekend off.
“All I know is I need to get myself ready, work hard and get myself ready because you can never take your place for granted at this club.
“You have to be on top of your game throughout the season – and that process started yesterday.
“Everyone has to show they want it and they have to go out there, work hard and give it their best shot, then the decision lies with the manager.”
Elokobi signed off for the summer with a ringing endorsement of his talents from boss Mick McCarthy, who declared him the best left-back in the Championship after Albion’s Paul Robinson.
The 22-year-old isn’t resting on his laurels.
He said: “That’s a massive compliment coming from the gaffe.
“All I need to do is keep improving as a player by working hard for the team and things will sort themselves out.
“I realise there are things I need to improve on and as a player, you can always improve until your career is over.
“That’s what I’m looking to do. I want to be the best out there and I’ll do everything in my power to be the best player out there.”
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