Strathspey Thistle’s Ryan Esson Keeps Players Focused During Layoff

Strathspey Thistle manager Ryan Esson is determined to keep his players engaged and fit, despite the team facing a prolonged break with only one competitive match in the last six weeks. The football club, based in Grantown, has struggled with adverse weather conditions, including freezing temperatures and an outbreak of flu that significantly impacted the squad.

The team’s last game was a memorable 1-0 victory against league leaders Brechin City on December 13. Since then, all scheduled matches, including fixtures against Keith, Banks O’ Dee, and Rothes, have been postponed. The recent match against Buckie Thistle was also called off due to dangerous pitch conditions caused by severe frost.

Prioritizing Training and Fitness

With an eye on the upcoming match against Deveronvale, Esson is not allowing the interruptions to distract the team from their fitness regimen. “We need to stay focused, we need to keep training, and we need to keep our standards up,” he stated. Despite the challenges, the squad held an additional training session on the morning of the postponed game.

The intense cold has posed difficulties, particularly as the artificial pitches cannot be used when temperatures drop below -4 degrees Celsius. Esson remarked, “Once the frost is in, it’s in, and we just have to get on with it as best as we can.” The team has adapted by ensuring players engage in running exercises to maintain fitness levels, even when training sessions are limited.

The players were scheduled for a training session on January 1, 2024, to prepare for their trip to Banff. Esson emphasized the importance of maintaining a high level of focus, especially against a formidable opponent like Deveronvale. “They are a really good side,” he noted, recalling their thrilling 4-3 derby victory against Buckie in mid-November.

Addressing Health Concerns and Player Recovery

The unexpected break has allowed some players to recover from the flu that impacted the squad during the holiday season. However, Esson confirmed that several players are still in recovery. He explained, “When we trained on Saturday, there were probably still three of them that I would say were struggling.”

The manager is monitoring the situation carefully and anticipates having a clearer picture of player readiness after the next training session. “It has been a tough time,” Esson remarked. “Some people believe players have had the flu for a week and they should just be over it, but it takes a bit longer than that.”

As Strathspey Thistle prepares for the challenges ahead, the focus remains on keeping the team fit and engaged, ensuring they are ready to face Deveronvale when the opportunity arises.