Pace is only a benefit if running more than ten yards really. Acceleration is more important IMO but neither are the be-all-and-end-all either. To give a lack of pace as a reason for not being good enough is ridiculous though. If every player was turned down for a lack of pace we'd never have seen the likes of Teddy Sheringham, Jan Molby or Paul Gascoigne!!!
That pace over a short distance tends to be a problem in a quick midfield but a little further forward in the 10 he does well as he can find space and has good game intelligence. The wing back position does suit though as he reads the game well from back there and because he has played further forward he's a real threat when he attacks.
I agree, my lad just doesn't get going until he's ran 10 yards he lacks that initial acceleration but over the whole 100 there's not many as fast as him and technically he's very, very good. You've probably hit the nail on the head though, the reason there's not many of those players is that they are binned at a young age for not being quick enough.
I read something quite interesting before in that there is a difference between pace, acceleration and quickness of movement. Acceleration and quickness of movement are two very different things but also important. For example, Coutinho is not particularly fast but he's extremely quick in his movement i.e. his positioning to work the ball past an opponent. Whereas acceleration is merely running away from an opponent as quick as possible.
Pace and acceleration are associated to running, quickness of movement can be anything. Lallana has quick feet so he fits the latter as much as Coutinho. Acceleration is what made Torres so good for us, he was explosive from a standing start and defenders simply couldn't set off anywhere near as quick as him, this gave him a two yard advantage to start with. Liken it to cars; you could have a car that does 150mph but takes seven seconds to get to 60mph (my current 53 plate Ford C-Max for example). Another car might only do 120mph but get to 60mph in six seconds (Reno 5 Turbo anyone...? ). On a football pitch, it is rare that there is a foot race over a long distance, its usually short bursts. even if it is a longer distance, that accelaration would give someone an early advantage.
This is where wing backs come into it you wait for space and can build up pace before joining play, probably the only position where that intitial pace isn't needed.
well full backs and a cm role is the same.......... if you are tracking a run defensively you dont need acceleration you need the brain to start running.
you are of course entirely correct. i should say similar in that in a defensive sense running with men and such. o course in an on the ball sense its a different thing
Same here. I await the sequel "The importance of learning multiple orgasms as a youngster" with baited breath. Hopefully a bit more promising.
