Transfer Rumours The Sunderland Links/Transfer Rumours Thread - Summer 2025

The team needs pace and power added but not every individual player needs both of those qualities. There are lots of other attributes required as well; skill, tactical awareness, finishing, tackling etc. If pace and power were the only attributes Usain Bolt’s trial at Man Utd would have gone further.

 

Sorry I’m out of the loop in this thread. Are people suggesting Lauriente doesn’t have other attributes either? Because his ball carrying is probably one of his best attributes and his dribbling aswell as pace

 

I agree, it’s just massively beneficial

 

Debate is on requirement of pace and power requirement in the prem. Load of examples of successful players who don’t have either being bandied around eg Steed.

 

If we signed somebody like him I would be disappointed. I like footballers.

 

Looking at our current best side, I certainly wouldn’t be ‘disappointed’

 

I remember you from RTG, a condescending, arrogant, ignorant poster who is always right.

Good night

 

Always right? Absolutely not. I haven’t said anything wrong to you either

A bitter, old man is my guess. Has to be.

 

So now an agist , anyone older than you can't have an opinion.

 

Aye i don't rate him at all, yes he has pace and power but he doesn't do much with it and defensively offers nothing at all

I want a team with pace and power (ability to cover ground consistently) in it but they've got to play as part of a team unit and not every signing can be about pace and power. We need athletic players to compete in the PL these days but there will always be a place for good footballers who are a step ahead of others due to the way they see the game

We have to get the balance right

 

Not the case at all. You’re being weird over Adama Traore FFS.

 

You know what, you're the only person I've ever put on ignore, it says more about you than me.

 

I am going to hoy myself out on a limb here. Seems a good time to so it given the last few posts.

Power/ Being big isnt that important, relative to other attributes. There, I said it.

Pace is huge these days though.

What players need to be able to do is use their body well in 1v1 situations. It isnt about who is biggest or strongest. It is about who gets into the best position and can get their body in the right shape. You can be Viera, but if Scholes gets in front of you and shields the ball you cant get it, no matter how physically dominant you might be. The amount of times Neil last season shielded the ball and the big agressive lad shoved him in the back was mad. Free kick every time.

The modern game is much more technical than it has ever been. Certainly in my 40 odd years of watching closely. I used to enjoy watching big physical lads play, when it was a less technical game. It was a different type of enjoyment. Billy Whitehurst smashing everybody out of sight. His size and agression gave him massive advantage because it was a battle of the bravest at times.

Nowadays you need players who have brilliant technique and equally good football brains. Football is a mental game everybit as much as it is a physical one, probably more so. How quickly do you see the play, how much of the pitch do you have in your head etc. People like Le Fee have this awareness that is worth so much, it is instantaeous brain to foot. Neil has 360 degree view of the game. Rigg has this unnatural ability to read the game 2 or 3 passes ahead. These are skills that go far beyond physical strength, or running for miles.

Now you need to have a blend of sorts. So Ballard is a physical specimen and we saw clearly the value of him heading it all day long. Mayenda will go toe to toe with big centre backs and not give an inch. The bigger they are the better for Hume. But by the same token I have never seen Rigg shirk anything because his bite is bigger than his bark so to speak. Mundle looks like the physical battle is right up his street too.

Give me a team of technically gifted lads, who have high intelligence levels and will use their body well. Add to that some real pace at CB, and wide and a good coach will get them winning games.

 

Well, because I'm old, I neither have the time, or crayons to explain how normal people behave in a forum without attacking someone.

 

I can see nothing that he would add. If folk find Roberts maddening that lad would drive them barmy. You can run through brick walls all day, with power and pace, but if you dont have a plan you might as well not bother. Honestly mate, if we end up with players who are at his level I would be really worried. We need much better technical and smart players.

 

I never once suggested signing Traore FFS

@WillD mentioned him as an example

Right now I believe he’d walk into our current squad, that’s all

36 PL appearances last season for 11th place Fulham btw

 

I've played for the over 35s, over 40s, over 50s and over 55s, In an ex pro league in Italy and Spain, believe me, technical ability beats pace and physicality any time. I give you the Spain side from 2010 to 2020.

 

Get this fella signed up for the PL campaign asap

 

Fair enough. But I still reckon he is an example of a footballer who has made a living because he is strong and quick. Not because he is good at football.

I could bore folk with tales of academy lads who were favoured because they were bigger and stronger, and no other reason. It was depressing to see at times. Football is so much more imho.

 

There is definitely some merit to that, although perhaps more important lies with being technical when you're controlling games as opposed to sitting in a low block and relying more heavily on counter attacks. Ideally you find big quick lads who are equally as technical, but a balance is best as you need players who can take the game by the scruff of its neck and dictate play but also need some of both.