Please can we sign some pace

[Rodley]

One attribute we are lacking in bundles is pace. When Cresswell broke with the ball at Wembley, I think Huddersfield's full XI had got themselves behind the ball by the time he reached the halfway line. With the exception of Evans who could shift, there was no pace in our side whatsoever. I think this is a real deficiency which must be remedied this summer. If we can retain McDonald (fingers crossed) and continue playing quality football, then pace is critical in order to stretch teams out of shape and adds another dimension to our team.

I've seen we are linked with Gary Roberts (left/right winger) from Huddersfield, but he's another winger with no pace at all. I'd rather have McFadzean brought up from the Juniors who has a reasonable amount of speed and can play on the left flank.

Come on Danny, pace on the wings and up top will make a real difference.

 

[Houso]

Where have we been linked with Roberts?

I agree we need pace, but I think you can get by with one or two players of Roberts ilk in the side.

 

[Kenilworth]

Ched looked pacey this year against third division defenders but not last year. Mind you that was probably a lot to do with confidence as well

 

[JohnDenver]

Pace is lovely but most quick players at this level will be sorely lacking in other areas. If they weren't they'd be higher up the league.

Prime example: O'Halloran.

May as well risk bringing our own kids through as giving chances to the likes of him.

 

[metalblade]

The one thing that cuts down our options on how we play is pace or I should say our total lack of pace in the side. All the opposition has to do is keep a high line in press our midfield to make life hard for us we have nothing at all that can stretch teams, we even have no pace in defence this must be the slowest United team for the last 30 years. We simply have to address this this summer.

 

[yorkshirecoast]

The one thing that cuts down our options on how we play is pace or I should say our total lack of pace in the side. All the opposition has to do is keep a high line in press our midfield to make life hard for us we have nothing at all that can stretch teams, we even have no pace in defence this must be the slowest United team for the last 30 years. We simply have to address this this summer.

Agree - we are painfully slow. We never catch teams on the break and we always look like conceding against pacey strikers.

 

[Selly]

Ched looked pacey this year against third division defenders but not last year. Mind you that was probably a lot to do with confidence as well

The first yard is in the head though, if Ched was better positioned, was moving first, you look deceptively fast if you time your run right...

( Ashley Ward v Leeds springs to mind...)

 

[Zlatan]

Agree - we are painfully slow. We never catch teams on the break and we always look like conceding against pacey strikers.

You know you need some pace when a 33 year old Kevin Lisbie does you for pace at the back.

 

[LS5 Blade]

1 pacey winger and at least one pacey striker are essential! A keeper confident enough to come off his line should negate the need to tinker with the back four!

 

[Princess Annes Dog]

We're sadly lacking in pace, and it was highlighted at Wembley as the Huddersfield centre halves looked painfully slow but were never tested. Only thing about having pacey players is that you need a quick thinker to play the right ball to them, don't think we have anybody who can do that. Only player I can think of off the top of my head, who'd fit the bill, and who might be intersted in us is.....................Michael Tonge

Scoff if you like but he knows the club, he can play a bit and at the level we're playing I think he'd be a great asset.

 

[Bladesway]

PAD, we brought a former hero back this season and look what happened. Tonge is yesterdays man and it has been proven following his departure how far back he has gone. Also, you talk about pace Tonge isn't the first name that springs to my mind.

All that said, pace is most certainly the issue. As has been mentioned though, at this level it generally means you have the first touch of Peter Sutcliffe if you are quick. I'm all for giving the kids a chance because I believe thats the best option we are going to have. McCabe isn't renowned for splashing the cash recently so we are going to have to rely of freebies and our youth.

I have total faith in DW, the only reason we aren't in the Championship is because he has been starved of his best striker through means beyond the managers control. And in the play off final we had no plan b, or c because they were injured or had been an utter cock in BT's case. We have the right man to get the job done barring another United type fuck up (which you can never rule out). For the first time in years I wish I lived more local because I would like to see more games. I couldn't have said that to you even when we were in the Premiership.

 

[Sheff de party]

i think if we're keeping Cressie and Porter and they obviously cant play together, we need some young kid with pace and potential. that would suggest to me scouring the top clubs and getting someone who is fast with talent but is young and getting him on loan to build up some experience. and i dont mean just anyone, someone who really is good. i know this is easier said than done, but there must be a fair few promising strikers at big clubs and theyre desperate to get them out on loan. only then will the Porter/Cressie flick on routine actually work.

 

[Princess Annes Dog]

PAD, we brought a former hero back this season and look what happened. Tonge is yesterdays man and it has been proven following his departure how far back he has gone. Also, you talk about pace Tonge isn't the first name that springs to my mind.

Look how far we've gone back though, we're in the pub league and any player with even a semblence of talent would shine at this level, and Tongey has more than a semblence, he's a thinking footballer who can still pick a pass and for me would be just what we need. OK he has no pace but he has a good first touch, which again, at this level would give him that extra yard.

The gap between the divisions is truly frightening, and the longer we stay here the more accustomed we'll become to being just another of the clogging outfits that are prevalent at this level. Time to be adventurous Mr McCabe, no need to go stupid but a little investment in our current predicament would go a very long way.

 

[Bladesway]

Look how far we've gone back though, we're in the pub league and any player with even a semblence of talent would shine at this level, and Tongey has more than a semblence, he's a thinking footballer who can still pick a pass and for me would be just what we need. OK he has no pace but he has a good first touch, which again, at this level would give him that extra yard.

The gap between the divisions is truly frightening, and the longer we stay here the more accustomed we'll become to being just another of the clogging outfits that are prevalent at this level. Time to be adventurous Mr McCabe, no need to go stupid but a little investment in our current predicament would go a very long way.

OK, I take everything you say and if we wanted a creative midfielder then I can see that being a possibility. How come clubs aren't champing at the bit to sign him? Also, he hasn't set the world alight in Barnsley where he played in a struggling Championship team last season.

You say the gap is big between Championship and League One? I think this is arguable. Most teams who get promoted seem to thrive in the Championship which tells me different. You tell me there is much between Charlton, The Pork, Us, Hudders, MK and Carlisle for instance and Ipswich, Forest, Donny, Cov, Milwall, Barnsley? I don't think there is.

Don't get me wrong, I think your argument is valid for someone like Tonge who can spray the ball around. I would say we have better in McDonald if he stays and our real issue is pace up front and down the flanks.

 

[Kenilworth]

Tonge was mostly successful when he ran at the opposition. He was never a person to dictate play. When he lost his ability to beat a man (only a yard to get a cross or shot in) he became ineffective. I can see him spending the rest of his career in League 1 - but not with us.

 

[metalblade]

Tonge is still twice the player Monty will ever be, nuff said.

 

[Guesty]

Only twice?

 

[WYorksblade]

I think Tonge could do a job for us in this league. If we kept Mcdonald would be good as another option for if/when he's injured! he can pick out a pass and was decent from a dead ball situation from memory. He's a player i think Danny Wilson would get the best from, if our style of play remains the same

 

[Guesty]

Seeing Tonge at the Lane holds so many good memories for me, but what I also won't forget are the dozens and dozens of games in which he was ineffective, in which he failed to kick on or impose himself or make an sort of impression at all. He didn't seem to like to colder months, by a large, each season would be book-ended by a string of good performances with largely listless ones in the middle. That said I obviously haven't seen him at this level. But he certainly doesn't provide any pace!

 

[stannyblade]

Really??? Tonge? god I hope not.

 

[super_pig]

The gap between the divisions is truly frightening, and the longer we stay here the more accustomed we'll become to being just another of the clogging outfits that are prevalent at this level. Time to be adventurous Mr McCabe, no need to go stupid but a little investment in our current predicament would go a very long way.

do you reckon?? personally i can't see much of a difference between the bottom six of the premiership and the top six of league one.. they're all much of a muchness. it depends who is the most consistent

 

[beechblade]

We need more than pace, pace on itself will get us know where. We need tricky and players with confidence to take players on, both Ched, Quinn, Willo and even Cresswell have looked half a yard quicker at times this season because they all rely on the use of great footwork. O'Halaran had pace but little else. My eyes we need players that are intelligent and have some abilities of skill technique, its a creative flair that is lacking far more than pace alone. I would like to see players like the guy on Stevenages left wing.