Pace, pace and more pace

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fatletiss

fatletiss

Well-Known Member
May 17, 2011
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Northampton
Been thinking about the squad since we won promotion (did I mention that we are going up, say we are going up? :smiley-finger007:)

Having watched the play off semis and the last few premier league games, I really hope we are focusing on bringing in players with real pace. It seems to me to be the real difference as you go up the leagues. Assuming good players have good control, etc, then what sets the leagues apart is pace. Some of the strikers in the next level have blistering pace and we need to make sure we have defenders that can cope with that, a midfielder who can use that pace in the last third and a striker with the pace to rip defences apart.

Anyone think of any that might be available or likely to come to Saints that fit that bill? I think some loanees from the premier league could do it.
 
Pace isn't any use to you if you can't get the ball. Once you are in the box pace is of very little use but craft is. Fitness and a willingness to work hard is key along with the ability to hold up the ball to bring others into play. If you have those things and pace then it is a different ball game.
 
Also, loans are for teams who can't afford to buy decent players. We need long term signings.
 
Beddytare said:
Pace isn't any use to you if you can't get the ball. Once you are in the box pace is of very little use but craft is. Fitness and a willingness to work hard is key along with the ability to hold up the ball to bring others into play. If you have those things and pace then it is a different ball game.
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I did say "assuming good control etc". I disagree about pace in the box, it can be the pace that gets you into the box and take you away from a defender once in there. I agree about the fitness and willingness to work hard, but still think pace is the thing that added to those stands people out from the others. Craft is important, but we have that in Lallana, Schneiderlin and to a degree Lambert in how he has a deft pass when needed. We certainly need pace at CB.

Joesteinberg - yes, we have some pace in Chambo, Guly when he opens up, and harding and Dickson aren't slow coaches, but I think a blistering striker and CB are needed.
 
When you think about it, there are very few 'blistering' centre backs, and generally forward players tend to be faster than centre backs. Positioning is far more important, as is timing of the tackle. Although I do think we need a new centre back and a winger, and possibly also a striker...
 
fatletiss said:
I did say "assuming good control etc". I disagree about pace in the box, it can be the pace that gets you into the box and take you away from a defender once in there. I agree about the fitness and willingness to work hard, but still think pace is the thing that added to those stands people out from the others. Craft is important, but we have that in Lallana, Schneiderlin and to a degree Lambert in how he has a deft pass when needed. We certainly need pace at CB.

Joesteinberg - yes, we have some pace in Chambo, Guly when he opens up, and harding and Dickson aren't slow coaches, but I think a blistering striker and CB are needed.
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Wouldn't disagree with you about getting into the box........however if you were to work out the % of goals scored by a forward breaking into the box and scoring through pace alone it will be very small. The Berbatov's of this world do not have a lot of pace but hell do they have a lot of craft? Tevez is the same, Works his ass off but does not have blistering pace. We need the type of forward that reads the game like Owen. We need midfielders that can read a game a lot better than some of ours that's for sure.
 
Beddytare said:
The Berbatov's of this world do not have a lot of pace but hell do they have a lot of craft? Tevez is the same, Works his ass off but does not have blistering pace. We need the type of forward that reads the game like Owen. We need midfielders that can read a game a lot better than some of ours that's for sure.
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yep. definately a CM and a striker. I understand the craft point, but if I wouldn't want to see 2 strikers without pace playing upfront for us.

I wouldn't mind Lallana playing as the attacking midfielder for that craft if we had another wide left player and a striker with pace.
 
Wisescummer said:
When you think about it, there are very few 'blistering' centre backs, and generally forward players tend to be faster than centre backs. Positioning is far more important, as is timing of the tackle. Although I do think we need a new centre back and a winger, and possibly also a striker...
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You're right, not many very fast CB's, but there must be some. Fonte has excellent positioning and timing of tackle and with a really quick CB alongside him, we could be very strong defensively.
 
Forte is lightning when it comes to pace but I don't think we have really utilised it with killer through passes that his speed is ideal for.
 
Seaborne is no slouch for pace, just doesn't have the skill of Fonte though. It is my opinion with most teams putting Jaidi in there will be a liability. Still what do I know..........Whether Martin could play there....emm doubt it......just hasn't got the experience. We need another Fonte type player that is naturally left footed. Any Idea's?
 
Beddytare said:
Still what do I know..........Whether Martin could play there....emm doubt it......just hasn't got the experience. We need another Fonte type player that is naturally left footed. Any Idea's?
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Oooh, Martin slipped my mind. I would like to see more of him to take a view. Could be catch 22 there with lack of playing time going against his selection, and then he can't get the experience unless he plays!
I can't remember his pace?
 
He's a site bloody faster than Jadie that's for sure probably matches seaborne but with out the experience.
 
Centre halves and Centre mids are rarely blisteringly quick. The extra yard or so is in the head on so many occasions. Forte could be very useful coming off the bench if the opposition are playing a high backline.

Very quick players are often a bit inconsistent, so not sure giving one a starting berth would be a good idea. Still, it can't hurt to have it available.
 
Beddytare said:
Does that mean you are a Plasic fan if you know not to whom we refer...........<laugh>
I will of course spell it correctly so that you will understand better.........Jaidi
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listen, I'm from ampshire and just assumed there was an "H" there and it was being dropped in speech...didn't realise it had actually been dropped
 
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