WE WEREN’T FIT FOR BIG KICK-OFF, ADMITS WILSON

CALLUM WILSON says Newcastle lost ground at the start of the season because they were not fit enough. The striker is the latest player to suggest the squad was not in peak condition under former boss Steve Bruce and that their fitness has improved since the arrival of Eddie Howe. Sportsmail has reported previously how there was concern among players over training and preparation, with excessive days off a point of ire. Newcastle — who host relegation rivals Burnley today — are without a win in 14 Premier League matches this season and did not look as fit as the opposition during the opening weeks, a suspicion confirmed by Wilson. ‘I’d say first game of the season, we weren’t fit enough in terms of being ready for a Premier League fixture,’ he said. ‘We weren’t fit enough or in the right place.’ Wilson was speaking with West Ham’s Michail Antonio on the BBC’s Footballer’s Football Podcast, and he added: ‘I noticed that (difference in fitness) when we played each other in the first game (West Ham won 4-2). Every manager has different philosophies in terms of how to get players fit. It showed the longer it went on the more you overran us, which probably boiled down to not being as fit as what we should have been. ‘Technique and stuff go out the window when you’re tired. The way the game went, it turned into a basketball match. That didn’t suit us because of the fitness levels. I’m thinking, “Boy, I can’t go on that run because I haven’t got the energy”.’ Wilson and club-mate Ryan Fraser played under Howe at Bournemouth, and the latter has spoken about the impact of the new manager. ‘Before, lads would just go in after an hour of training,’ said Fraser. ‘Even after two hours now they will say, “No, we’re doing this today”. The place is a lot happier. I don’t want to say anything about the previous staff, it’s disrespectful. Everyone is seeing changes. No days off with this gaffer.’