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‘Get on with it’: Ally McCoist not happy with what he’s been hearing West Ham player say recently
pundit Ally McCoist has had his say on comments from West Ham United captain Declan Rice about fixture congestion.
Rice he clocked up 68 games between June 2021 and June 2022, describing that as ‘obscene’, but also making it clear he wants to play as often as he can.
Rice said: “I worked out last year from June (2021) to June (2022) I played 68 games. That is an obscene amount of games. You have got to stay fit, got to eat the right things, your nutrition has to be good and you have to be spot on throughout the whole year.
“Of course at some point it might take its toll but it is down to the player to find that balance. I am starting to do that again now, I am starting to feel good again and feel sharp. Hopefully I can keep pushing and as a team kick on in Europe and in the league as well. I always walk off the field knackered.
“I like to keep playing, to keep the momentum building. That’s where the confidence flies. When the season was closing up I was trying to see how many I could get. From the Euros to the end of the season was 68 and I was thinking: ‘How can I get 70 in?!’ “I just wanted to keep pushing and get as many as possible.
“I feel like the more games I play… I don’t like to rest. You only get one career and you want to maximise that. When you hit that amount of games it is a proud moment. It shows the hard work you have put in. Before Silkeborg, I said to the manager I wanted to play. I want to play every game.”
McCoist on Rice comments
But McCoist was not impressed, saying: “Too many games? Come on, Declan. Come on. Just get on with it, Declan.”
“Come on Declan, just get on with it, you’ve got a World Cup to look forward to. Playing some brilliant games. Moyesy will give him a day off (after the World Cup).”
It seems a bit of an overreaction to what Rice actually said. It was clear he was not moaning, but he did just underline the workload of the modern player if they play in every game for club and country.
There will be some who agree with McCoist, and perhaps argue that for the amount the players get paid, they should not comment or complain at all.
But money does not make you less tired after a game and Rice was not even really moaning and he certainly wasn’t saying he wants to play less games or was not looking forward to matches ahead.