West Brom have denied they are running the most punishing pre-season camp ever

Poor James McClean

If you're explaining, you're losing is an old adage in politics, and it could probably apply to the latest West Brom statement that has denied accusations that the club are making players run the equivalent of three marathons a week in pre-season. The Baggies are currently in a special fitness camp  in Austria and reports surfaced over the weekend that Tony Pulis was getting his players to run over 70 miles as part of their preparation for the new season. Former Wales assistant manager Raymond Verheijen had this caustic tweet in response to the story: However the club today have hit out at the comments, and describe their preparations under Pulis as 'second to none' in a statement on the club website issued by club director of performance Dr Mark Gillett.

"Since arriving Tony has worked closely with myself and my staff to ensure that the right policies have been put in place in all aspects of physical and mental preparation for games." "His attention to detail in ensuring the players are physically and mentally ready for games is second to none and his injury record throughout his career speaks for itself." "Of course the players are pushed hard during pre-season but frankly some of the media reports describing our approach as prehistoric are ridiculous and uneducated." "In particular the comments made by Raymond Verheijen typify the lack of insight and understanding shown by so-called experts who do not work in the Premier League."

It didn't take long for the Dutchman to respond https://twitter.com/raymondverheije/status/619122805980987393 https://twitter.com/raymondverheije/status/619123084126212096 https://twitter.com/raymondverheije/status/619123934647189504 https://twitter.com/raymondverheije/status/619126905229443072