James Rodriguez | joins Bayern Munich | 2 year loan

[ivaldo]

Not based on the last few games where we often attack with only 1 man in the box.

We'll see today, hopefully you're seeing something I'm not and we'll attack like a Spurs with 4 or 5 in the box when going forward.

That's not because they aren't quick enough.

As I said, it's about playing quicker, not having quicker players.

They're really not.

They really are. It's been a running theme for the last two years. If we had more pace in our side under LVG then everything would magically be better, use the search function.

Anyway, as @M Bison said earlier we are digressing here.

 

[Dobbs]

That's not because they aren't quick enough.

As I said, it's about playing quicker, not having quicker players.


They really are.

I've just edited the original post to make this point but if pace is overrated why do managers all across the EPL pack their teams with it?

We've got plenty of fast players, why is that if in your opinion it's only as useful as heading ability or strength?

 

[M Bison]

They're really not.

It makes you wonder why managers pack their teams with pace if it's so overrated.

Exactly.

Pace isn't the only answer but ask any defender and they'd rather play against someone who gets the ball to feet than one who plays on the shoulder and looks in behind.

 

[Dobbs]

Exactly.

Pace isn't the only answer but ask any defender and they'd rather play against someone who gets the ball to feet than one who plays on the shoulder and looks in behind.

Yep. It's a basic premise you find at any level of football.

 

[JPRouve]

They're really not.

It makes you wonder why managers pack their teams with pace if it's so overrated.

Managers want good athletes, pace, acceleration, stamina, agility and strength will all be attributes that a manager will look for but when you reach a certain level it's not more important than mental and technical abilities such as vision, concentration, calmness, game reading, first touch, passing weight/accuracy or shooting technique.
Too often football fans go straight to pace even though pace isn't the problem, when you look at our team the problem is more mental, we need players that read the game better and understand when and where they need to make runs, we need passers aware of these runs and willing/able to exploit them, we also need players able to control the rhythm of a game.

Great teams have all of the three type of attributes, good teams generally have the mental or technical aspect of the game and all professional teams generally have the physical part of the game.

 

[ivaldo]

I've just edited the original post to make this point but if pace is overrated why do managers all across the EPL pack their teams with it?

We've got plenty of fast players, why is that if in your opinion it's only as useful as heading ability or strength?

It's a useful tool, and a team needs some pace in it to stretch sides, but it isn't this incredible attitude as it's so often made out to be. How often do we see teams full of pace nullified because the opposition sit deeper? Would such a tactic work against teams with great aerial ability? You need a good blend of pace, power and aerial prowess to stop your side becoming one dimensional.

Look at A. Madrid in 13/14. Where was the pace in that side? Yet they were very successful because the team played intelligently with great movement.

 

[Dobbs]

Managers want good athletes, pace, acceleration, stamina, agility and strength will all be attributes that a manager will look for but when you reach a certain level it's not more important than mental and technical abilities such as vision, concentration, calmness, game reading, first touch, passing weight/accuracy or shooting technique.
Too often football fans go straight to pace even though pace isn't the problem, when you look at our team the problem is more mental, we need players that read the game better and understand when and where they need to make runs, we need passers aware of these runs and willing/able to exploit them, we also need players able to control the rhythm of a game.

Great teams have all of the three type of attributes, good teams generally have the mental or technical aspect of the game and all professional teams generally have the physical part of the game.

Agree with all that. Pace alone is no good, I dont think anybldy argues that, but it's incorrect to say it's overrated. It's a crucial part of any winning team. There's been too many games this season and last where we've gone into games with maybe only one player you could genuinely call fast. I think it's showed.

I don't know about Rodriguez, haven't watched him enough. Personally I think the No 10 has to sharp over the first few yards.

 

[JPRouve]

Agree with all that. Pace alone is no good, I dont think anybldy argues that, but it's incorrect to say it's overrated. It's a crucial part of any winning team. There's been too many games this season and last where we've gone into games with maybe only one player you could genuinely call fast. I think it's showed.

I don't know about Rodriguez, haven't watched him enough. Personally I think the No 10 has to sharp over the first few yards.

James has an excellent acceleration and he is powerful.

 

[PepsiCola]

They're really not.

It makes you wonder why managers pack their teams with pace if it's so overrated.

Our forward line against WBA was packed with pace, didn't really help.

 

[Dobbs]

James has an excellent acceleration and he is powerful.

Good stuff. I'm not arguing that every player has to be a sprinter but I think a lack of pace is what keeps Mata out of the 10 spot (I'd still have him there).

 

[Dobbs]

Our forward line against WBA was packed with pace, didn't really help.

and your point is?

 

[ivaldo]

and your point is?

We've had people wanting Zlatan dropped because he isn't fast enough despite having serious pace to burn in behind. No one is saying pace isnt very useful, it just isn't as my much of a factor as many are suggesting.

 

[MoBeats]

Absolutely not, no.

 

[GM K]

The James Rodriguez to Manchester United speculation seems to be gathering steam. It looks like he is really keen on the move to United and Real is happy to let him go. Just not sure if Jose is interested in signing him.

 

[Borden]

Would be a waste of money and another pointless galactico-signing that wouldn't improve us much/at all.

 

[Dong Fangzhuo]

No thanks

 

[LawCharltonBest]

He's amazing in Fifa...

 

[SachinJ22]

We've had people wanting Zlatan dropped because he isn't fast enough despite having serious pace to burn in behind. No one is saying pace isnt very useful, it just isn't as my much of a factor as many are suggesting.

No he doesn't have pace. If we had Zlatan playing instead of Rashford against Chelsea we wouldn't have scored. Even against Anderlecht if Zlatan had played the whole match, he wouldn't have scored. I don't have anything against him, he has done well for us. But the team is so slow when he is playing.

 

[ivaldo]

No he doesn't have pace. If we had Zlatan playing instead of Rashford against Chelsea we wouldn't have scored. Even against Anderlecht if Zlatan had played the whole match, he wouldn't have scored. I don't have anything against him, he has done well for us. But the team is so slow when he is playing.

You've misread the post. I'm not saying Zlatan has serious pace to burn, I'm saying the team does. Every player doesn't need pace, it's entirely naïve to think that. Having a player with a different attribute, like strength and a aerial ability, allows us to vary our attack.

Point in case Rashfords goal against Anderlecht had nothing to do with pace, it was a long ball up to a player who, you guessed it, doesn't have pace. The incorrectly disallowed Pogba goal was also from a high ball and had nothing to do with pace. Your logic doesn't add up.

 

[NotQuiteManc]

If anyone from Real that I would want at United it would be Isco rather than this fella.

 

[Ramshock]

Seriously what would he bring?

 

[PepsiCola]

I for one would welcome the signing. The load will bring goals and assists.

 

[Jig1234]

Douglas Costa hardly plays for Bayern. He is much better option.

 

[Pavl3n]

I am not convinced he is the type of player that we need. However if we get him for 25m, given that he's still 25, could be a good investment as we need depth in quality, rather than in quantity. Given all the rumors Rooney may leave, this guy could be a good option to bring to the team. However I don't think he's high on Mourinho's target list. Even if he comes to us, I won't mind at all. We'll see.

 

[Devil may care]

Hopefully this is just Real trying to mug us off by throwing this lazy bum in to lower the De Gea price, he's the opposite of what we need both on the pitch and mentality wise.

 

[Adisa]

The James Rodriguez to Manchester United speculation seems to be gathering steam. It looks like he is really keen on the move to United and Real is happy to let him go. Just not sure if Jose is interested in signing him.

I've not seen anything.

 

[Ødegaard]

He's amazing in Fifa...

Count me out then. Don't need someone to sit around playing video games all day long.

 

[Utd7]

I haven't read about this rumor but the only way it makes sense is if he's a backup option to Greizmann. Which would mean that he's cheaper than Griezmann and more importantly would signal that Jose is committed to playing 4-2-3-1. Because if we play a 4-3-3 then obviously James has no use for us. Plus isn't James a Mendes client?

 

[SachinJ22]

You've misread the post. I'm not saying Zlatan has serious pace to burn, I'm saying the team does. Every player doesn't need pace, it's entirely naïve to think that. Having a player with a different attribute, like strength and a aerial ability, allows us to vary our attack.

Point in case Rashfords goal against Anderlecht had nothing to do with pace, it was a long ball up to a player who, you guessed it, doesn't have pace. The incorrectly disallowed Pogba goal was also from a high ball and had nothing to do with pace. Your logic doesn't add up.

Rashford doesn't have pace? We aren't a mid table team to rely on hoof ball tactics, we are Manchester United. How will the attack vary if Zlatan plays all matches?

 

[The red panther]

He is great for a 10 to play behind the striker

But with Mata and Mkhitaryan we already have 2 players who can do that, he isn't all that much from the wing either.

So I don't know what he would bring that we don't already have, I fail to see how he would fit into the formation so simply not needed for me.

 

[ivaldo]

Rashford doesn't have pace? We aren't a mid table team to rely on hoof ball tactics, we are Manchester United. How will the attack vary if Zlatan plays all matches?

Did the long ball go directly to Rashford? No it was headed down by Fellaini. Explain to me at what point did Rashfords pace contribute to the goal or the disallowed goal. Don't worry, I'll wait.

Having someone who can hold the ball up and is good in the air gives us an alternative to just having 4 speedsters on the pitch, feck me it's not rocket science.

 

[SachinJ22]

Did the long ball go directly to Rashford? No it was headed down by Fellaini. Explain to me at what point did Rashfords pace contribute to the goal or the disallowed goal. Don't worry, I'll wait.

Having someone who can hold the ball up and is good in the air gives us an alternative to just having 4 speedsters on the pitch, feck me it's not rocket science.

I never said Rashford's pace led to the goal but you said Rashford doesn't have pace. Long balls won't work in every game, mid table teams use long balls to get goals. What I am saying is we aren't a mid table team to use tactics like that. Anyways there is no point in arguing about that now as Zlatan won't play this season, maybe even the next season. You will see how much pace is helpful in the remaining matches.

 

[van der star]

I am not convinced he is the type of player that we need. However if we get him for 25m, given that he's still 25, could be a good investment as we need depth in quality, rather than in quantity. Given all the rumors Rooney may leave, this guy could be a good option to bring to the team. However I don't think he's high on Mourinho's target list. Even if he comes to us, I won't mind at all. We'll see.

No way he ends up costing us less than 40-50m. Real overpaid for him and they will surely look to recoup most of that amount. Add to that that we're Man Utd and they'll try to fleece us more than they'd some other club.

 

[ivaldo]

I never said Rashford's pace led to the goal but you said Rashford doesn't have pace. Long balls won't work in every game, mid table teams use long balls to get goals. What I am saying is we aren't a mid table team to use tactics like that. Anyways there is no point in arguing about that now as Zlatan won't play this season, maybe even the next season. You will see how much pace is helpful in the remaining matches.

No I didn't, why on earth would I or anything think Rashford doesn't have pace?

No you're right, long balls dont work in every game, just like having oceans of pace doesn't work in every game. Hence my surmisation that having an array of attacking options is a good thing?

 

[sunama]

Our forward line against WBA was packed with pace, didn't really help.

and your point is?

Pace is over-rated.

 

[van der star]

Pace isn't the be all end all factor. Positional awareness and off the ball movement are more crucial in the final third.

 

[sunama]

Yeah, we're lacking pace behind the striker with only Rashford, Mhkitaryan, Lingard and Martial to pick from...

In fairness, Mata is usually preferred, in one of the front 3 positions.
I think Rashford-Ibra-Mata is Jose's preferred front line.
I do agree though, we do have pacey options, if we need them.
But IMO, pace is overrated.

 

[Pavl3n]

No way he ends up costing us less than 40-50m. Real overpaid for him and they will surely look to recoup most of that amount. Add to that that we're Man Utd and they'll try to fleece us more than they'd some other club.

I know I've been a bit stingy giving such evaluation, but I just hope given our most recent business in last two transfer windows, I don't think we'll be paying over the odds. Mikhtariyan for 26, Bailly for 30, the amounts we've recouped from Schneiderlin and Depay. 25 may be low but 35 should be objective.

 

[van der star]

I know I've been a bit stingy giving such evaluation, but I just hope given our most recent business in last two transfer windows, I don't think we'll be paying over the odds. Mikhtariyan for 26, Bailly for 30, the amounts we've recouped from Schneiderlin and Depay. 25 may be low but 35 should be objective.

Mikhi was in the last year of his contract and he had already informed the club that he was leaving. 26m in that situation is still a few million more than what we should have paid.
30m for an up and coming, and relatively under the radar defender is quite an amount. Bailly will come good eventually but his fee was definitely inflated for someone who had played only one top flight season prior to joining us.

 

[ivaldo]

In fairness, Mata is usually preferred, in one of the front 3 positions.
I think Rashford-Ibra-Mata is Jose's preferred front line.
I do agree though, we do have pacey options, if we need them.
But IMO, pace is overrated.

Good man!