Muratti boss issues fitness challenges

As he announced details of his senior squad match programme for the season, the former Portsmouth, Oxford and Bournemouth professional said it was very noticeable that outside of the GFC squad players did not prepare well enough and that it goes right through the system.

‘Even parents at Minis level have said to me that Jersey look stronger [fitness wise] than us.

‘It’s a bit of an attitude problem, not needing to fight for their positions perhaps as much as Jersey where there is more competition for places.

‘Jersey definitely seem to be stronger and fitter at senior level.

‘I can’t put my finger on it.’

Tardif insists it is largely down to the individual to prepare himself properly and said it was ‘extremely difficult’ for himself to lift fitness levels in the limited time he has available with the squad in the last few weeks before the Muratti Vase final.

‘I’m not sure that at that point of the season you can get them fitter.’

Meanwhile, he revealed he has already issued warnings to a couple of would-be Muratti men about their shape.

‘I’ve already put out a couple of challenges out to players who have got the ability but fall short on fitness,’ he said.

The ‘road to Footes Lane’ in terms of 2019 Muratti selection starts at the end of October when he and his coaching team of John Nobes, Kevin Gilligan, Matt Warren and Scott Ferbrache oversees what he calls an internal friendly featuring as many as 30 of the island’s top players, GFC men included.

Two comparable squads will be managed by Angus Mackay and Charles Pinsard and within that game Tardif will look at formations for the squad both this season and going forward to the home island games of 2021.

Tardif’s senior squad also have a game against the RAF in mid March and is in the process of firming up a prestige friendly against a Premiership club age-group side for a match in April.

As with 2018 the Muratti preparations conclude with a game against Upton Park FC on 4 May.