Why Preseason Conditioning Shapes Tactical Success

Preseason fitness work is not generic graft, it is the base that decides whether a tactical system holds up. For Rangers, that link between conditioning, availability and late-game drop-offs feels central.

In modern football, a coach's tactical philosophy is only as effective as the physical engine driving it. Preseason is the critical window where this engine is built, but the "fuel" required varies wildly depending on the system. Whether it is the methodical control of Russell Martin or the high-octane chaos of Danny Röhl, the conditioning foundation must be bespoke to the tactical demand.

Russell Martin and the possession marathon

Russell Martin's approach is built on "keep the ball at all costs". His teams, such as Southampton, aim to dominate possession and use a structured, organised build-up to suffocate opponents.

Instead of constant lung-bursting sprints, the priority is aerobic endurance and mental concentration. Players must be conditioned to maintain high ball speed and constant rhythm over 90+ minutes. Fatigue in this system leads to a drop in pass accuracy and sloppy transitions, which often leaves the defensive line vulnerable in one-on-one situations.

Danny Röhl and the heavy-metal press

In contrast, Danny Röhl at Sheffield Wednesday demands active front-foot defending and high-intensity pressing.

This system relies on anaerobic power and explosive recovery. Players must perform repeated 10-to-20-meter sprints to trigger pressing traps and force turnovers deep in the opponent's half. Because the physical load is so extreme, Röhl emphasises meticulous minute management to prevent the soft-tissue injuries common in high-press systems.

The Rangers adaptation problem

The current struggle for Rangers players to adapt to a modern, high-intensity system, or a lack of fitness and physicality within the squad, stems from the collision of two very different philosophies.

Rangers have faced significant issues with player availability; recently, only 8 out of 30 players met the 90% availability target. This has resulted in confusion around a number of Röhl's starting line-ups and, in particular, his substitutions over recent weeks. It also explains his continued use of Gassama, who is physically more conditioned to his style.

When a squad conditioned for a more static or lower-tempo style is suddenly asked to implement a high press or fluid system, the physical gap leads to physical and mental breakdown later in games. This is something we see regularly as the team start to sit back late in games as we struggle to close matches out.

Adapting to a manager like Röhl's demands for energy off the ball requires a fundamental overhaul of preseason standards that cannot be fixed mid-season without risking further injury. As we've moved to one game per week, we've seen Röhl attempt to introduce a different system, which has at times been highly effective, but has proven unsustainable.

Preseason is tactics, not just fitness

Ultimately, preseason is not just about getting fit, it is about building the specific physical profile required to execute a manager's vision. Without it, even the best tactics remain a theory on a whiteboard.

Written by EHL2020 March 18 2026 13:09:18