Nottingham Forest boss expects his players to use their “common sense” while enjoying the festivities
Sean Dyche says he won’t copy Pep Guardiola and check the weight of his Nottingham Forest players when they return to training after Christmas.
Forest welcome City to the City Ground on Saturday and Guardiola has warned his players that their weight will be checked on their return to training after a three-day break, to ensure they are fit enough for selection. City’s manager said that any player who had put on additional weight would not be selected to face Forest.
“I think it’s unlikely [I’ll do the same]. I presume you’re mentioning Pep. Is he weighing himself, do you think?” Dyche joked.
Forest’s manager said he expected his players to understand the standards expected of them.
“As I always say to the players, on your passport it says professional footballer,” said Dyche. “They’re not just footballers. Everyone wants to be a footballer but what about the professional side of it?
“The players just need to use a bit of common sense. I don’t mind them having a Christmas dinner, why not?”
Dyche was appointed in October with Forest 18th in the table having won only once in eight games. They are now 17th but five points clear of the drop zone after winning seven of his 13 games played so far and four out of nine in the Premier League.
The manager said he understood the finest margins of fitness matter in the modern game.
“There is a lot more attention to detail now,” Dyche said. “I’m big on that, but sometimes the psychology is as important as anything with athletes and, within reason, you want them to enjoy their Christmas Day. I certainly do. It’s a big part of their life.
“It’s fair to say that I do consider figures important, but I’m not obsessed with it, weights and all that sort of stuff. “They’ll be encouraged to enjoy their day. They’ve got the day off but should use a bit of common sense.
“These players now coming through the academy, they should all know – and they certainly do – what to eat, when to eat, how to look after yourselves, good sleep and all those sorts of things.”
