I was going to raise this in the off season but never got round to it. However after the George Burgess debacle last night I feel it's worth bringing up.

Our current head of strength and conditioning is Paul Johnson. His current (relevant) CV consists of a degree at UCLAN and a couple of years as head of Wigan U19s S & C.

That's it. Let's have a look at Mark Bitcon's CV (prior to joining Wigan so not including his current role at Man City).

Two masters degrees in sports science and directorship
Sports science intern at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sports science consultant at Bolton Wanderers
Senior S & C coach at Wasps Rugby
Head athletic performance co-ordinator at Glasgow Warriors
Head of elite fitness at Scotland Rugby Union
Head of sports science at Gloucester Rugby Union
Not to mention his private PT work with other top level athletes (Jenny Meadows, Martin Murray etc).

Is our current head of S & C really the [ibest quality candidate[/i we can attract to that position and is this representative of a wider jobs for the boys culture? Is it any way important that our employees at a backroom and boardroom level previously played for the club? What difference does it make?

IL has put his hand in his pocket to fund an expensive and talented playing squad but it irritates me to think we might not have the backroom staff to maximise that potential. Particularly because St Helens looked more superior physically to other clubs last year than in any other aspect of the game IMO.

Leads you to think the Edwards story may well be true

Totally agree!

I would have been surprised if edwards and johnson would have been an effective team, working together, i seem to recall there being a lot of bad blood(sorry) between those 2 following the tragedy in 03 with their brothers.

Our conditioning is like putting 2 stroke petrol into a Rolls Royce.

Is say it’s an area we really can improve. To come back from pre season in the condition George Burgess has is a disgrace. I think Zak Hardaker, though am absolute quality player and I can’t fault him, would benefit from losing a few kg and improving his speed. If they can’t see that or make that happen they’re in the wrong job.

I think it’s an area where money is being saved but it’s an area which makes the difference between getting to a final and winning one.

Really? This is new to me...

I think Zak looked in great condition yesterday, lost some weight from last year

Not saying I disbelieve you but could you expand? First I’ve heard of it

I'll drop you pm later, i was in two minds whether to mention this and dont want the thread to get diverted bringing this back up.

I’d take the condition of George Burgess out of it, that clearly couldn’t have been down to anything Johnson has or hasn’t been doing. I thought the rest of the players looked fine. Lockers looks in great nick, so do the young lads and Joe Bullock looked much fitter in pre season than he did last year.

It’s week one. Nobody at any club will be match fit. Burgess aside, I thought they looked athletic, quite fast and strong.

Put it on. I think it would be of interest to most on here..

No worries

Agreed. Don't know the details but the post came as quite a shock to me.

There was a car crash in 2004 where Shaun Edwards and Paul Johnson both sadly lost their brothers

2003 but we all knew that

I said it in a different post, but Edwards called this one.

Put aside the BS of the whole saga - one thing that transfers well across the codes is strength and conditioning. Edwards has worked with some of the top s&c coaches in the world and I'd trust his judgment on this.

Imo this isn't like your generic coaching job and isn't a job for the boys type thing.