Sky Sports contributor Ben Dinnery has warned that West Brom may see an increase in injuries if they decide to reduce the use of artificial lighting rigs at The Hawthorns.
Around the continent, including in England and the Championship must clubs use artificial lamps to repair their pitches during the winter.
However, a report from the Daily Mail at the end of September emerged suggesting that several EFL clubs are considering whether to cut down on the use of lighting rigs in an attempt to slash their rising energy bills.
The apparatus is used in order to provide ideal conditions for the grass to grow when natural light is limited and groundsmen up and down the country are believed to be worried by the effects the cost-cutting may have.
Dinnery meanwhile, has also voiced his concern.
He told Football Insider:
“There is a lot of research going into pitches.
“Pitch hardness is a major factor. During winter, we are going to see less grass growth because there’s less light. Pitches can cut up as a result. Research indicates that pitches that are harder have more of an impact on joint and tendon issues.
“Softer pitches, which is where we’re getting to during this heavy period of rain, can have more of an impact on ligaments.
“There are also other bits of research that show how the hardness of a pitch can impact how tired players become when they get around the pitch. That leads to fatigue and can change the profile of a game as well as how teams are set up.
“All of these tweaks can increase injury occurrence.“
TIF Thoughts on Dinnery’s comments…
Will Steve Bruce still be at West Brom by Christmas?Yes
No
|
Considering the Baggies’ perilous position at present losing players to injury could be detrimental.
Steve Bruce has already lost Semi Ajayi having started the first seven games of the season with the club only picking up two points out of a possible 15 from the fixtures he has missed.
Meanwhile, centre-forward Daryl Dike who scored nine goals in 19 Championship games for Barnsley before his switch to the Midlands has played just three times for Albion as he struggles with muscle problems.
Having fallen into the bottom three, Bruce can’t afford any injuries to his already floundering team but perhaps the club will hold off on their cost-cutting measures until during the World Cup when the team won’t be in action between November 12th and December 10th.