Doig pre-Walsall

Man-management is definitely one of Hurst's strong points and I can't imagine he would be partaking or encouraging any of the responses to questions about JMD unless he thought it had a benefit or tried the behind closed doors approach too.

The lad has loads of talent but he's simply not fit enough.  He's been here for the full pre-season, afforded the same support as everyone else yet hasn't improved that side of his game enough.  Certainly not to the levels expected.  

Our game this season especially is focused on high energy and press.  He doesn't fit into that unless he completely changes his attitude.  I'm not saying he's a bad apple, but he needs to be busting a gut to get close to the levels and standards others are setting at the minute.  

Of course there's always that point that if his physical game matched his technical game he wouldn't be here, but unless he improves on his fitness and graft, there's only one trajectory for his career I'm afraid.  Be a huge shame as he's got the world at his feet.  On Tuesday, against very good defenders, he was dancing around them when going forward but looked no fresher than players who had played 60 minutes more than him, crucially when we were on the back foot.