Brighton Sky Blue
Well-Known Member
Look no further than McFadzean playing in a back 3. Clearly very little pace in his legs but he had great positional awareness, communication and aerial strength.
Transfer Rumour 25/26 Summer Transfer Window (37 Viewers)
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Hobo
Well-Known Member
Levship20
Well-Known Member
Don’t agree. If his desire is to stay in or around his homeland, why would he opt to sign for us if we offered him a bit more? Don’t buy players that don’t really want to be here!!!
Chicken Mcgraw
Well-Known Member
But we played a very deep back line. The only reason pace is being mentioned is because of the high line we play. Of course you don’t need pace to a be a top cb but it’s probably an attribute Lampard will look for alongside Thomas.
shmmeee
Well-Known Member
We’re upper mid table in the crowd 5-12.
Anderlecht are in the Belgian top league and in Europe this season …. It’s not a no brainer to join a tier 2 English club … it’s arrogant to assume it is.
Skybluedownunder
Well-Known Member
Unless we offer £5m with rising to let’s say £8m upon promotion
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David O'Day
Well-Known Member
were they asked to play such a high line and leave so much space in behind them? no
Skyblue Bangkok
Well-Known Member
Bauer has none of these attributes.
procdoc
Well-Known Member
Why does it matter what level I’ve played at? I’ve been involved in coaching and management at semi pro level, but honestly, you only need a good understanding of the game, even at Sunday league etc, to appreciate that positioning, reading the game, and communication are more important fundamentals for a centre-back than raw pace.
Pace is a useful attribute, but it’s a supplement, not a substitute, for defensive intelligence. Take players like John Terry (as an elite example), he was not exactly pacey, but he was effective because of his ability to anticipate danger, organise the line, and stay switched on.
In the Championship, where the pace of the game is high but the technical quality can be erratic, the ability to maintain shape and leadership at the back often makes the difference. A high line will always carry risk, even with quick defenders, because one mistimed step or lapse in concentration and you’re caught out. That’s where structure and communication are crucial.
So yes, pace helps, but if your defenders can’t mark properly, coordinate the line, or react to transitions, they’ll get exposed regardless of how fast they are
Skybluedownunder
Well-Known Member
I guess we won’t ever know if he was a top target or not. Could have just been one of those many linked with players where we’ve enquired
Interestingly this week he played 28 mins and managed to get a goal and an assist
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Ccfcisparks
Well-Known Member
Well I'd imagine we wouldn't belooking at a defender who can't defend.
Chicken Mcgraw
Well-Known Member
So after all that you agree? Lol
RoboCCFC90
Well-Known Member
This doesn't matter to some fans unfortunately.
procdoc
Well-Known Member
That wasn’t my point. All I’m saying is a defender with pace is a bonus, but pointless without the key attributes I have mentioned.
bawtryneal
Well-Known Member
Liquid Gold
Well-Known Member
It’s grossly irresponsible to drop £10m on a CB in our position no matter how good he is. You could realistically get 4 really good players for that and we have depth problems in multiple areas.
Ccfcisparks
Well-Known Member
Or 4 Luis Binks...
procdoc
Well-Known Member
We aren’t spending that, it’s not even an actual rumour
David O'Day
Well-Known Member
Yes you do not have to have to have pace to be a great CB and there have many great CBs who were not quick. The point people are making is the system we play has a very high defensive line which leaves lots of space in behind them so a quicker CB is more suited to playing in this system as they can recover quicker when the play goes in behind them.
procdoc
Well-Known Member
We all dream of a team of Luis Binks
Matt smith
Well-Known Member
Is that a hint
procdoc
Well-Known Member
You’re missing the point entirely.
Hobo
Well-Known Member
That's the nature of the Championship though
Brighton Sky Blue
Well-Known Member
Who said anything about him?
Hobo
Well-Known Member
Were they camped in their own penalty area all game? No.
Plenty of examples of Paul McGrath defending as the last man just inside his own half for club and country
David O'Day
Well-Known Member
No, I'm not. You seem to be failing to grasp that it is not a question of "can you be a good cb without pace" but "should you look for cbs with pace if you play a very high line". John Terry was a great CB and wasn't quick but when he was asked to play in a very high line by AVB at Chelsea he struggled.
The question is not quality but suitability to our current tactics.
RoboCCFC90
Well-Known Member
This is what City and other teams in the Championship are competing with, a relegated PL team dropping £20m+ on a player from a rival club.
This would be a record transfer fee paid for a player in this division.
I personally think if we can get Callum Doyle on a loan to buy for £10m, it would be a steal.
This would be a record transfer fee paid for a player in this division.
I personally think if we can get Callum Doyle on a loan to buy for £10m, it would be a steal.
David O'Day
Well-Known Member
No, but they weren't asked to push the line up to almost over the half way line at all times.
procdoc
Well-Known Member
Shock you’re wrong again. Positional ability and reading the game in a high line are more important than pace. It’s not like Thomas and Kitching are little slugs. They’re not rapid and if you play a high line with a quick centre half, but positionally he’s not very good the pace is irrelevant. No matter how quick your defenders are it’s a high risk - high reward of playing
Chicken Mcgraw
Well-Known Member
But we’re going for it according to the Kingdom!
Hobo
Well-Known Member
Most defenders when their team is attacking get up to the half way line.
I get the point you are making and it is valid. Pace is so important in the modern game. But it also depends on who else you have in your defence with pace.
Doyle may not be lightening quick but he isn't a complete cart horse. He covered McFadzean's arse with recovery runs on plenty of occasions when he was here.