There’s an old adage that says availability is the best ability and West Ham United have had it in abundance.
If nothing else, at least West Ham United have their full squad available for the relegation run-in as things stand.
Imaging you’re in Nuno’s shoes; Who are you bringing in to face Arsenal? 👞
While not to tempt fate, it is not a luxury that Tottenham – their closest relegation rivals right now – have.
Indeed, that is not down to pure luck alone.
Richard Collinge, Richard Weiler, Joshua Ewens and Adam Paxton key in West Ham’s survival bid
The Athletic have done something of a deep dive on the West Ham medical team behind the scenes.
They name the likes of Richard Collinge, Richard Weiler, Joshua Ewens and Adam Paxton as key members in a group that have constantly kept West Ham’s best players largely free of injury.
Clearly, injuries are always going to happen in a season, but West Ham have not suffered with them anywhere near as badly as Spurs.
If we are to get a RESULT vs Arsenal, how do you think we’d do it? 🧐
The report reveals some of the extent to which the medical staff go to. Players are constantly graded between green, amber and red. Green means there is no issue, amber means a player’s training regime may need tweaking, while red suggests an issue.
Players also use a cryotherapy chamber to aid with recovery, while there is also altitude chamber at West Ham’s training ground which simulates a low-oxygen environment to help players dig deep towards the end of games.
While no one is suggesting this is a novel approach in the Premier League, it has clearly worked for West Ham by and large.
It clearly doesn’t mean they will stay in the Premier League but the consistent availability of their players gives them the best possible chance.
Injuries have largely been very kind to West Ham, to the point where they are not really an excuse anyone can use if they are indeed relegated.
It is certainly worth highlighting the relative success they’ve had on that front, given almost every other aspect of how the club runs can be criticised.
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