Two quick lads in the team

[Bergen Blade]

...is something I'd aim to include if I was a manager. It gives us movement, passing options, it stretches the opposition and can help make us less predictable.

Last season we tried to start with both Ward and Camara six times, with these results:

Peterborough (H) 1-0
Preston (H) 1-0
QPR (H-FA cup) 1-1
Bristol City (H) 2-0
N. Forest (A) 0-1
Plymouth (H) 4-3

Four wins, one draw and one away defeat when we had Henderson sent off.

Obviously, I don't think it's as simple as naming two quick lads in the team and we'll walk the league, but it makes it a little bit harder if choose to neglect the importance of pace. It's been a problem for a few seasons now and we must put it right this summer.

 

[Kev Gee]

Heres hoping.
I think our policy is to play direct football with KB at the helm.
Even when KB said he wanted to play with width, the reality is we didnt.

 

[bladesman1889]

The only good performance there was Bristol City though.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Hi Bergan

What sort of season did Trond Sollied have last year?

 

[cooperblade]

The only good performance there was Bristol City though.

I thought we played well against Plymouth 'til the wheels came off defensively and we created loads of chances against QPR.

I agree that we need to get some pace into the team. I thought we looked a decent team towards the back end of the season (when it was too late) if we can re-create the solidity and style of play from those games and add a bit of pace to it, then we'll have half a chance.

 

[Revolution]

Peterborough (H) 1-0
Preston (H) 1-0
QPR (H-FA cup) 1-1
Bristol City (H) 2-0
N. Forest (A) 0-1
Plymouth (H) 4-3

Of course, irrespective of who's in the team, it is not entirely surprising that we won 4 and drew 1 of these matches as those 5 were (a) all at home and (b) all against teams who were not very good.

I take your general point, though. We have little pace in the side when Ward is injured.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Hi Bergan

What sort of season did Trond Sollied have last year?

He's got the sack from Heerenveen in August 2009, following "cultural differences between him and the team". I have no idea what that was about, though I definitely think he's a better tactician than man manager. He won the cup with Heerenveen a couple of months before he quit, their first trophy in their history.

I'd suggest looking at Swedish Jan Jönnsson if the Blades wanted a foreign manager. He's done fantastically well with Stabæk in Norway, playing entertaining, attacking and effective football. Rosenborg are rumoured to want him as their next manager.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Of course, irrespective of who's in the team, it is not entirely surprising that we won 4 and drew 1 of these matches as those 5 were (a) all at home and (b) all against teams who were not very good.

Agree with that, and I do think it's often necessary to show more caution when playing away. But I don't think it has to be at the expense of pace.