Its not wholly true, but there is a tendency for larger players to be less agile, less mobile, slower. There is also a correlation between size and a drop off in dribbling ability partially because of their higher centre of gravity. Also though, players like Maradona (ankle) and Garrincha (knee) are understood to have been good at dribbling because they could over-rotate the joints I've bracketed. Physics would suggest that the joints of larger players are less likely to over-rotate because they have to support a greater weight. I would also contend that there is a direct correlation between size and the ability to strike a dead ball (see my earlier posts about 'target man' type centre forwards rarely taking penalties). I know it's a different position but look at our results when Charlie Wyke (the archetypal 3rd division centre forward) and the slimmer, slighter Josh Maja have been first choice. We do need some big lumps, to carry Bill Shankly's piano, but size wouldn't be the first thing I looked at.I'm admittedly biased. We don't have too many players like that over here, but we've got plenty of big ones. In the general case, for ability to overcome a size disadvantage, I believe the skill differential has to be significant, something along the lines of one standard deviation. Not sure if McGeouch is that good.
For the Sunderland case, in just about every match, we had to contend with a size disadvantage at most positions. I was so confident going into Wembley, after our performances in the semi's, but that confidence quickly waned after seeing the size and pace advantage enjoyed by Charlton.
I just don't want to feel a sense of foreboding everytime there is a free kick, next season.