Pace and Power

[Ted Striker]

Watching the Palace game at the moment and from watching all the other matches it is obvious that every other team (Burnley apart) are so much quicker and more powerful than us.

The difference in physicality is massive and is the reason we are struggling so much. We have not got the pace or power to trouble the opposition. We need to change so much to challenge in the future, we need to be looking at players over 6 feet tall who can run to enable us to compete. Norwoods 'effort' for Palace's 2nd today being a classic example of our shortcomings.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

There’s been literally nothing to like or enjoy about the side, players or the football for the last 7 months.

 

[FriethBlade]

Ted spot on and a number of us have mentioned this previously. We are slow and unathletic. No pace, very little power too easily bypassed when the oppo attack and no speed or trickery to break the other team down.

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

Eze has both. I think he’d of been a realistic target last season and affordable, wasn’t signed because of formation hinderance. Looks much better than Moose, Brewster and cost similar money.

 

[Fifaking]

Eze has both. I think he’d of been a realistic target last season and affordable, wasn’t signed because of formation hinderance. Looks much better than Moose, Brewster and cost similar money.

Even if we did get Eze, he'd look no better than what we've got. Brewster would look better in the palace side.

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

Even if we did get Eze, he'd look no better than what we've got. Brewster would look better in the palace side.

Yes I agree. Brewster gets the ball and no ones within 25 yards of him

 

[LS16Blade]

Watching the Palace game at the moment and from watching all the other matches it is obvious that every other team (Burnley apart) are so much quicker and more powerful than us.

The difference in physicality is massive and is the reason we are struggling so much. We have not got the pace or power to trouble the opposition. We need to change so much to challenge in the future, we need to be looking at players over 6 feet tall who can run to enable us to compete. Norwoods 'effort' for Palace's 2nd today being a classic example of our shortcomings.

All Blades managers going back at least to Blackwell, have talked about the need to get power and pace into the side.

The problem is, players with power and pace as well as the crucial third ingredient - skill - cost decent money. This club, however, has never been prepared to pay the going rate to get the 'real thing'. Instead, we buy either players that (i) have the power and pace but don't have a clue how to play football, or alternatively (ii) players that can play football but are physically weak and/or slow and/or midgets because they are cheaper. We currently have a squad full of the latter.

The best Premier League teams tend to have players that are not only the most skilful but who are also fitter, faster and stronger than the likes of our players.

 

[Keen Blade]

Eze has both. I think he’d of been a realistic target last season and affordable, wasn’t signed because of formation hinderance. Looks much better than Moose, Brewster and cost similar money.

We wouldn't pay his wages + he wouldn't have left London anyway

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

We wouldn't pay his wages + he wouldn't have left London anyway

First season in the premiership I think we could have afforded his wages. I obviously don’t know him so I’m not sure on the London issue but I think if offered premiership football and a big pay rise it would have been tempting.

 

[Ted Striker]

Agreed, this is why we need to look abroad for future recruitment. There is a ceiling to how far you can go with just getting 'good characters' that will fit in well with the squad.