Pace

[mcbendy]

I've just been watching the full 90 of the Vitesse first leg again. Lots of things to ponder, but one of the things that struck me is how much pace we now have in the squad. In JRod, Mane, Long, Juanmi and Soares we have five seriously rapid players. I'm trying, and failing, to recall a time when we had such a threat in behind. Is this unique in my lifetime (I was born in 1979)?

 

I suppose the question is, do we have the players to play that perfect through ball (Tadic, Clasie?), and what happens when teams keep a deep back line and don't leave space in behind? IIRC there were lots of times last season when we passed it backwards and forwards across the edge of their box before floating a hopeful cross into the box which opposing defenders cleared. We certainly seem more of a threat when we build up a head of steam. Will our opponents cotton on and just drop deep? What is Plan B?

[Lallana's Left Peg]

Pace isn't just about running onto the ball, it is also about how quickly you can move when you have it. I think Juanmi will be charged to be the creative output as well as Tadic when we have to break down a defence. Mane is a bit mental as well so his unpredictability will help with that. I think we'll be just fine this season - remember even the top teams struggle against teams who sit deep and it is only the very very top players who often unlock them (Silva, Hazard etc.) which are out of our range so I think we're set just right all things considered.

[angelman]

Long isn't always in control. For the 3rd goal when he arrived at the goalie, he fell over. Fortunately it bounced off the keeper to Juanmi and the rest is history.

[Webby]

Long is a kick it and run kind of player. His touch in that 3rd goal was awful.

[GGalpin]

Seen in the FourFourTwo season review that Saints didn't score a single counter-attacking goal last season; hopefully this will help us score a few more on the break.