Myrie-Williams is making sure he fits in
Jennison Myrie-Williams is revelling in pre-season training with Dundee United this year after avoiding the embarassment of being tail-end Charlie in the energy-sapping runs that dominate the opening weeks of build-up work to the new campaign.
Myrie-Williams in action against Celtic last season.
- By Graeme Dey
- Published in the Courier : 21.07.10
- Published online : 21.07.10 @ 03.15pm
By his own admission, Myre-Williams found himself lagging behind as United pounded the training field in search of stamina 12 months ago.
This time around the midfielder — signed from Bristol City last summer just as pre-season was starting — has led the way, leaving a distinct impression on boss Peter Houston and his coaching staff.
And that's due to having developed an understanding of what succeeding in the SPL requires of a player fitness wise.
"I joined United in time for the hard work last summer, but I wasn't prepared for what I found, " recalled Myrie-Williams. "The demands — running wise — were completely at odds with what I was used to and I struggled, but armed with that knowledge I worked harder during the summer and I'm reaping the benefits.
"I wouldn't say it was a culture shock when I came up to Dundee last summer. Living so far away from home was probably the main thing, although I was used to staying away.
"In terms of fitness, there's two types. There's match fitness where you're playing and getting fit and there's fitness in terms of doing long-distance runs getting fit.
"I found the long-distance runs a lot different to when I was playing in England. We never did any sort of half-an-hour runs — it was 15 or 20 minutes — and when we got down to the running I was out the back, which I felt really bad about.
"So this year I decided to make sure I did better and I've been at the front end, and turning in times minutes quicker than a year ago. I went all through the summer working on my fitness. I didn't stop. Every other day I'd do something in the gym and closer to coming back I was in the gym almost every day.
"I was also running everywhere I went. I did that in London and Bristol where I was for a while. I also kept up the running in the Dominican Republic where I went for two weeks.
"It's the first time I've ever done that and it seems to have helped me a lot. It seems the way forward for me.
"A lot of the boys here are fit. There's that sort of culture here. They breed you that way. They want us to be the fittest team in the league, and I've now bought into that. I thought I was at my fittest ever last year, but I'm a lot fitter now.
"And I'll need to be. Competition for places here is really fierce so everyone wants to give themselves as good a chance as possible and be at the top of their game."
Add a comment