So we're going to be without one of our most in form players for the next few weeks in a vital period that will no doubt result in another couple of players getting injured. Last time we suffered with injuries and suspensions, Cook accidentally stumbled upon a few decent players that managed to lift the form and performances (Mulgrew and Williams), however I doubt he'd be that lucky twice in a season.
We seem to get our fair share of these types of injuries which makes me think there's no issue with training lacking intensity, its probably more the case that its quite old school of 5v5/11v11 and run run run which is overworking hamstrings etc rather than emphasis placed on tactics or techniques etc.
The end of game droop seems to me more to do with the players minds than anything else i'd say, not fitness in itself. Its almost as though they get to the 80th minute and on track for 3 points or even just 1 point and panic because they're scared to leave with nothing. Conceding late seems to be a sucker, as soon as that goal goes in we seem to always loose. We could be 3-0 up, concede once and end up loosing 4-3. There's no confidence, and no clear place to find it. The manager compliments the opposition more than his own team, so they're not going to find it there. The fans that still manage to drag themselves to the games - and lets be honest, its a decreasing number (but fair play to all of you) - watch with hope but resignation, so that's no place to look. And as far as self-motivation or dressing room characters to lift things ... The only player who looks to have any sort of personality (judge yourselves on if its good or not) is Windass ... and if he ever appears for us again, it'll be because Cooks been booted and the new manager doesn't play favourites.
But hey-ho, roll on Millwall with our patched up squad and if we loose, it'll be anyones fault but Cooks