I was just reading an article in the Guardian about the England cricket team and how they're keeping fit while stuck at home. Got me thinking that it will be interesting to see how fit footballers (from all teams, not just Barnsley) seem when they return. I know from the interviews that they've all got their equipment and regimes, but I'm sure we could all name at least a few from the last ten years or so who'd come back looking like a beach ball if they were expected to motivate themselves to train and eat well every day for six months! Some of them couldn't even manage it on their days off. I'm in no way claiming to be an angel in this matter, of course (some days my motivation is at absolutely rock bottom), but then I'm not used to the daily calorie intake of a professional sportsperson. Combine that with a potential lack of motivation and we could see a few players coming back somewhat well-upholstered whenever football restarts.
I can't remember who it was but there was a player on the radio a few days ago and he was saying something very similar. He reckons that three weeks from resumption of training to starting competitive games is a complete nonsense because of fitness levels. He said that there is no way players will be anywhere near match ready in three weeks and the games will be like low level kickarounds.
For the money they get paid it would be reasonable to expect them to keep themselves in prime condition. But most of them won't bother.