I think they played a very good first half after having a bad start. In the second half they lacked a bit of physical condition but were very unlucky to lose to the final goal
My first target will be to establish positive thinking. In football as in life you have to stay positive and think only of the good things that can happen to you
These are the words of new boss Gianfranco Zola in the wake of our 3-2 defeat to West Brom. I have stressed many times on this blog the importance of sports science at West Ham (and in football in general), but often people ask me how can a sports scientist influence a club? It is a common misconception that a sports scientist is simply a physio with a fancy title.
It’s science
I’m going to get a little bit ‘sciency’ for a paragraph or so, but I hope it will help to define better the role of a scientist at a football club…bare with me!
You see it’s pretty obvious that footballers need energy to perform. Because football is essentially an interval sport (ie a player may be sprinting at times, walking at times, playing a gentle pass or striking a volley), playing it utilises many different sources of energy, known as energy pathways. All energy pathways are used by all players, but in different ratios. For example, Bellamy will rely heavily on ‘explosive’ sources of energy when he sprints like a mad-man to chase down the keeper, whereas Hayden Mullins will use a source that is less ‘instant’ and more sustained. Maybe this all goes without saying, but it introduces the next paragraph quite well!
The role of a sports scientist in these situations would be to see in what ways he/she can utilise best the energy sources that Bellamy and Mullins would be using. This may include changes to diet and training schedule. By making simple changes like this, we could get extra playing time out of both of these players.
The major player in energy these days according to studies is something known as ATP. People refer to it as the fundamental beginning or energy if you like, almost like a building block. It is responsible for allowing Bellars to sprint like he does…the source doesn’t last long, maybe a few seconds, but it is always being replenished. Changes to Bellamy’s diet in favour of the production of this ATP malarkey will allow him to full on sprint 10 times in a match instead of 4, as an example. Am considering revising this paragraph after reading a couple of comments below. Try and find a more accurate way of simplifying what I mean!!
Some people are genetically more able to perform like Bellamy and other like Dean Ashton. Deano’s genetic make-up will never allow him to sprint like Bellars, whether he is super-fit or super fat, he will always hit a proverbial ‘roof’ when it comes to running fast. A roof that mean he wont. Ever.
Injuries and Keiron Dyer. Duck to water
As I said earlier, people often confuse sports scientists for physios, but the two are infact pretty different. In terms of injuries and an injury list at a club, for a sports scientist the main thing to try and achieve is working out the best ways to prevent injuries and maybe design better more efficient ways to treat them, based on research. For a physio however their main focus is the treatment of already injured players. It is important that the two work closely together, and if they do, they should be able to design/create a specialised rmethodology for the analysis and correct diagnosis of injuries, the most effective treatment of the injuries and finally and most importantly, the prevention of recurring injuries.
I have seen it far too many times at West Ham these last couple of years, players getting the same injury over and over and seemingly nothing being done about it. They just keep getting injured…and as far as I am concerned most injuries other than fractures are preventable. So why weren’t West Ham doing more about them? Instead of just using them as an excuse for our poor form. So frustrating.
Or the time Anton had to be substituted after 3 minutes because he had pulled his hamstring….seriously.
Old School Managers, New School Science
After the repsective departures of Alan Curbishley and Kevin Keegen, many people in the media were trying to whip up a sensation that the breed of these so called ‘old school’ managers was being killed off.
I’m sorry, but this does not rub well with me at all. I don’t care if they are old school or pre-school, their attitude to the demands of today’s game should be new school. Curbishley and his old school style only has one rightful place, before 1990. His methods were outdated and that showed in our injury record alone.
With the money that is banded about football and the requirements of players to be at their very best each week, it is only right that the science behind the game is taken seriously. Not just a case of destroy everything that was in place and then bring in all your mates because the training ground was feeling a bit empty like it seemed Curbs did.
Invest in technology, invest in staff, invest in science. Wouldn’t it be quality if we had the backroom facilities that matched the quality of our Academy. What an amazing prospect.
New School Football
Zola is a new breed of manager. I know he doesn’t have much experience, but let’s give him a go. He wants to freshen up the way we play football and introduce new methods. No more “20 laps round the top two pitches, last one back does 10 press-ups”.
His statement to improve fitness and get the ball played around on the floor is the injection of excitment, ambition and intent that West Ham United Football Club needed. I just hope it can be matched by the board.
Another Top post sam, completly agree with the science of football. it is so important nowdays because football has modernised so much in the past 5 years. science of football is a big factor not only in injuries but in the technology of the equipment we use today. look at our football boots for instance, bootmakers improve every year to ensure comfort and precise accuracy and power added to the way you play. shinpads… added protection to the shin bone, thermal vests to control the body temperature to maintain a steady heart rate. heart monitors are used in training to tell us how long they can last in a match. also look into the technology of goal line decisions that will soon be included in the premierleague, lightweight sensors in the ball, the fibre’s in the footballs to increase the aerodynamic flight when striking the ball, the splints in the goalkeepers gloves so the goalies cant bend their fingers back ( adidas was the first company to include this in 98!).
football does rely on science and the more we get involved, the game will improve quicker than it ever has before!
Respect the west ham faith!
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Agree with everything,nice to see some educated informed material on a West Ham website. I really do think given the support of the fans and the board Zola will do well for us, plus bring the best out of our players!
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Interesting article, and one that has valid points to do with the fitness and energy levels of players. I feel positive about Zolas appointment regardless of his inexperience, because I believe he has the intelligence to make vital changes to the way players are performing both physically psychologically.
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with all due respect i was just wondering how many years experience you have in this field, you mention that deano hitting a roof! i have to disagree with this comment. it is the training that he is doing which determines his attributes!
you mention energy pathways, have you studied energy systems?? what do you know of muscle fibres?? your points are good points but not the whole truth! everyone has the potential to run like bellamy!!! no disrespect
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just to further comment on this situation about the injuries!! these happen due to misguided scientific information that we recieve from education. somewhere along the way a popular belief has arisen which has had a detremental effect on the players of westham united football club. only somebody with exceptional knowledge and understanding of the human bodies function and process of recovery should be dealing with these players!! thankyou very much!
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This article was long overdue and I’m pleased somebody brought it up.
I really shouldn’t be surprised since I do enjoy most articles in your blog. So please no offence, but having given countless lectures on cell biology and especially on so called “secondary metabolism” I wasn’t really impressed by the pseudo scientific part on ATP. I have no problems with simplifications, but this was not a simplification it was a fragment of knowledge pulled out of its context to add nothing.
Now, I totally agree that West Ham should embrace sports science, and the rebuild of the medical staff and facilities performed this last spring is certainly a huge step in the right direction. Also it makes perfect sense – even for a businessman with no footballing experience (BG) – to make sure that his prime assets are well taken care of. It is a total mystery to me that it has taken English clubs so long to catch up with training and diet systems based on contemporary sports science.
The common saying to make people get the drift is “if you buy a Ferrarri don’t fill it with crap fuel” . The same goes for top level footballers.
There are several examples of clubs around the world that has gone from losing to winning games in the last 15 minutes, from one season to the other, by incorporating modern diets and (mainly preseason) training methods.
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We had the best sports scientist in the country working at West Ham until Pards decided to undermine him and bring one of his cronies from Reading. He’s now at Man Yoo, working on a daily basis with Tevez, Rooney etc. Well done Pards!!!
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Alam you are wrong about everyone has the potential to run like Bellamy, I don’t know where you get your info and then decide to think you are a expert on these matters. The author is just pointing out scientific facts, he’s not trying to get a job at Lodon hospital for Gods sake.
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@ alam¨: it was to my best of my knowledge that all athletes have a genetic ceiling. It is why not all sprinters can run as fast Usain Bolt….even if they may train twice as hard. I am relatively new to the field, but have studied both muscle fibres and energy pathways/systems. I am currently studying Sports Science as whole and specialising in muscle and training physiology. I am also training for my UEFA B coaching lisence.
As ananother footballing example of what I reffered to as a genetic roof, Pascal Chimbonda has the ability due jump very high. Due, I would assume to his fast/slow twitch muscle fibre ratio. Whereas other players may not be able to …no matter how hard they train at jumping!
I am happy to be educated otherwised, so feel free to get in touch, would be great to talk more.
@ joppe…clearly your knowledge is greater than mine being a lecturer in cell biology! from what I know about ATP, I did my best to simplify it as much as possible. Although everyone is clear as to the function of the molecule (i think!), I am aware that even amongst some of the best minds there is still some confusion about a lot of it´s characteristics. Like i said to alam, it would be great to chat further…maybe you would be interested in writing some of your own articles?
here is my email: admin[at]onyahead[dot]com
thanks for all feedback, sam
COYI
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apologies if i have offended you my friend!
many thanks al
a message to dave hall.
it is infact your very own mind set that has you believing that not everyone can do this because you havnt realised your full potential yourself. i could spend time to explain to you exactley why deano runs the way he does and what stops him from being fast! every human being has the potential to sprint, it is our design. true you do inherit what you see as your own inabilities from your parents. these inabilities that you have are due to your parents not achieving full potential, this doesnt mean that you can not achieve them! you would be absolutley amazed how much the body can adapt over time! i have tried and tested this philosophy on myself and many others. if you like i will give you detailed explanations to why some players attributes are higher than others. and im not talking about height!! you say you can not trian these things. do you think bruce lee was born the way he was!!! no he understood potential! your muscles will adapt to the environment! if you trully understand the function of each of your muscles (and i assure you its not to bench press) then you will achieve what you dave hall sees as impossible.
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Thanks Sam for your post on sports science today – some good ideas and lets hope the new regime at West Ham are as forward thinking.
Thanks also to Alams constructive and inspiring “118 118″ responses to sports science. Your comments have given me the belief in my self to put my name down for the 100 metres in the 2012 Olympic Games. No sod it, Alams right, i might be 48 years old but i’m going for the pentathlon!!!!No disrespect
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thankyou twobob! if you had put as much effort into it as you do with your witty comments you surely would have made something of your self instead of just being a sheep
no disrespect 
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Alam im afraid your wrong as I can indeed run fast and laways been able to. Although I’m no Linford Christie and never would have been.
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thats the difference between people who make it and people who dont dave! you dont believe in yourself. ive never mentioned linford christie. ive obviously upset you sir and i apologise. no disrespect
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No you have not upset me Alam. I do believe in myself, but I believe in what I am capable of and how far I can go. Everyone has their limits whether physical or psychologically. If everyone on the pitch was the same there would be no room for each individuals built in abilities. Each person is unique in their own way.
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alam at the end of the day, sciencetific testing can produce different results according to how the researcher wants to interpret the results.
it is correct however that the optimum performance differs from athlete to athlete – no matter how much they train. i will never ever be able to win a marathon, but my genetic makeup might enable me to suceed at other sports.
just look at all the different somatotypes of athletes competing in the olympics…why dont all marathon runners enter themselves into the 100m?
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i thought you would know the answer to this question sam after your own explanation about energy pathways! or are you under the impression that muscle fibres are fixed?? marathon runners train sport specifically for long distance and 100m for power! i like your college book example by the way
when you have taken some time to study muscle fibre types and hormone balance then we will talk more. many thanks al
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for dave hall!
My first target will be to establish positive thinking. In football as in life you have to stay positive and think only of the good things that can happen to you
if zola thinks like you my friend we will be relegated by the end of the season! enough said!
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and sam you are right if you dont believe you can win something then you wont! you obviously love your job but i have a feeling that you will never be the best! change your mindset my friend and become a champion!!!
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Alam no disrespect but if you’re that good then we in this world should all be safe hey. Nothing is perfect in this world, nor you or me. My mindset will not get the team I have loved since I was a boy relegated, nor will your ideas get them further. Has I have said, each human is individual, and Sam is right.
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P.s. Alam. I am positive of Zola, you should know that, as I wrote that earlier, that’s called psychology, and us as fans need to be that way. Now enough is said.
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Alam, I appreciate that you have a lot to say on this matter and everyone is entitled to their opinion, but please don´t use this blog as an opportunity to try and prove to everyone that their mindsets are wrong and that we will never, or have ever, achieved anything in their lives.
I would love to talk more about your opinions on muscle fibre and energy pathways. I´m not a professor in thie field, nor am I a lecturer in any capacity. But I am always learning.
I also study sports psychology so if you want to chat about that aswell, that´s good. You are right that mindsets are vitally important in achieving what we are CAPABLE of achieving.
As for my text book example of a marathon runner and a sprinter, I would love to hear your text book answer.
I never said that muscle fibres are fixed as I know that there is a certain amount of flexibility in the ratios between Type I, Type IIa and Type IIb. However some people ARE more genetically inclined to have a ratio that favours one or two of the three. Training can change that, but only slightly.
I left my email address in a comment earlier, and it would be good to chat more about it.
Sam
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yes you will be safe, i will make sure my fellow west ham fans are protected!
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sam – im not putting anyone down or trying to make myself appear better than anyone else. i am simply pointing out that if you remove the boundries that your mind has put there then you can accomplish anything. thats the difference between the people who make it and the people who dont. its about disipline. i think you are doing a fantastic job on here! you have certainly provided me with hours of entertainment. just so you know i have worked in this area for 28 years. i know that you are just starting out on your journey and i wish you luck! you may be surprised one day at how wrong popular belief in certain areas can be. i only give my opinion when i have tried and tested somthing many times and managed to achieve a consistant result! thankyou for your time and your opinions, has this is a site that does ask people for their comments or there would not be that option may i remind you! i am an objective person, i feel that you may be taking some sort of personal offence so i will leave you to enjoy future blogs without my imput! happy learning!! al over and out!!
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I don’t mind intelligent debate Alam but sarcasm is not the West Ham way. I was born and lived just up the road from my club, and have kept to my beliefs and traditions when it comes to West Ham. You’re last comment does not represent my club nor true hammer fans. I am willing to have an intelligent debate, but not be mocked .
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Alam just one quick question that I need to know the answer too regarding popular belief, can the molecule ATP be hydrolised?
I will go away and look into alternatives for popular opinion regarding what I said about genetic ceilings. I will read plenty of books and report back here with my findings.
@ dave, thanks for you contribution on here these last couple of days. I see you write a lot of comments on other blogs, but if you ever fancy writing an article re West Ham here, it would be my pleasure to sort something out
Alam, it would be great if maybe you could drop me an email to explain your thinking regarding everything above, I am interested.
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Thank you Sam I appreciate that.
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hey sam
didnt kno where to get hold of you (im probably being blind or something, sorry)
but this is something i think we’ll all agree on:
http://www.westhamonline.net/ the main story, or if it’s changed by the time this is read:
http://www.petitiononline.com/RFCMOORE/petition.html
the only problem being our current financial situation, but i think every fan will get behind this
-rob
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Wow some heavy stuff on here – all this talk of ATP, cell biology and energy pathways. Oh and of course not forgetting Alam and his ‘muscle fibre’!!
I suppose you’ve heard that Ashton is out for a month with a sprained ankle!!!!
Sports science is essential to move the game to another level but let’s not forget that even the best craftsman in the world with the latest equipment and sharpest tools can achieve NOTHING if the materials he works with is defective!
Lets get back to some basics when sourcing future players for our team and remember that if a player has a history of injury then don’t be surprised if he’s , err, INJURED, in the future!!! You can throw as much science at the player that you like but sadly for him there’s a defect in his make up that is there for life.
We have probably £25,000,000 tied up in 3 such players. Now i may be slaughtered for this but if we receive good bids for Dyer and either Bellamy or Ashton, i would SELL them in january and go out and buy some non-defective materials for our top coaches and sports scientist to work and achieve something with.
On a seperate bizar note , will we see Curbishley back at The Boleyn on Saturday but in the Newcastke dug out?!
If so, will he finally give us in the Centenary Lower a wave!!! COYI
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