Quote Originally Posted by magpie_mania View Post
What happens though if a player insists that he is OK to play? I think it needs players to always be honest - and even then there will be times when they genuinely believe they will be fine.

The injury level threshold at which players don't play now has lowered significantly from what it was when I first watched Notts (early 70s) I think - that is why we got through seasons with such a small squad. It was more physical but arguably less athletic.
It happens all the time, especially with senior players who want to play ASAP after being out for a long stretch
Most times there will be a discussion and the medical team/manager will make the final call
But if it's someone like Van Der Ven at Spurs, who is so important to them then it makes it a bit more complicated
He came back after a hamstring injury earlier this season and broke down again after his first flat out sprint.
I notice he was subbed at half time in his most recent reappearance

You only have to look at the games on ITV4 from the 70's and 80's to see the change in the way the game is played
It's far quicker now with players making many more sharp turns with a good number of injuries happening when the player hasn't been even been challenged by an opponent
And watching teams pass back to the keeper and him picking it up to give everyone a breather before booting it back upfield
It's definitely an eye opener