[johnd51]

Agree with most of what has been said other than his pace which didn't seem to be there as I had expected. The team as a whole played at a much higher tempo in the first 30 minutes or so when we caused them most problems, much more like last year.

Generally though the club lacks pace in most areas of the team and is something we need to address IMHO.

We all tend to make snap judgements and although I have seen 3 of the new men twice (and not been impressed with 2 of them) it is too early to say if they improve the squad.

[60s 70s Spireite]

Spire 12345 (Rotherham 0), on 05 September 2011 - 08:19 PM, said:

Mendy will either be a world beater and a fans fav or a massive let down from the high expectations.

He certainly needs a better strategy next time he is one on one.

[Sprite]

Spire 12345 (Rotherham 0), on 05 September 2011 - 08:19 PM, said:

Mendy will either be a world beater and a fans fav or a massive let down from the high expectations.

Or your average League One player, definitely one of the three.

[calvin plummers socks]

johnd51, on 05 September 2011 - 03:22 PM, said:

Generally though the club lacks pace in most areas of the team and is something we need to address IMHO.

I'd do it (for half my normal fees;-)

Seriously though pace can be quite easily developed. (you can't put in what God left out/can't polish a turd etc, etc), but with some proper sprint/agility work a player can realistically take .25 second off their 100m flat time within a couple of weeks (4 sessions with drills and technique work).

[Younger]

when he was fit 1st half, from the east stand he looked class. very good on the ball. his switch of play on the volley was godley. only think he did wrong was mess up the 1 on 1 (he made the chance anyway with his quick reactions and inteception) dunno how anyone can say he lacked pace in the 1st half. once his fitness is up he will be a key asset as town are on the mend-y

[Sprite]

Spire 12345 (Rotherham 0), on 05 September 2011 - 08:46 PM, said:

No not average or I would have put that

Oh sorry, my bad.

[Blueprint]

Spire 12345 (Rotherham 0), on 05 September 2011 - 08:19 PM, said:

Mendy will either be a world beater and a fans fav or a massive let down from the high expectations.

He'll probably be a let down, people will be wanting too much from him and a couple of bad games and he'll be useless, in fact already some think he's not good enough cos he faded 2nd half.

I'll judge after 5 games, but was impressed initally on saturday.

I'll also judge Westcarr after 5 games, but from what I've read/heard/seen so far I think i'd much rather form an opinion when he's playing out wide.

[Radders]

calvin plummers socks, on 05 September 2011 - 08:56 PM, said:

I'd do it (for half my normal fees;-)

Seriously though pace can be quite easily developed. (you can't put in what God left out/can't polish a turd etc, etc), but with some proper sprint/agility work a player can realistically take .25 second off their 100m flat time within a couple of weeks (4 sessions with drills and technique work).

Disagree completely. You cannot - under any circumstances teach pace! You either have it or you don't. A mate of mine used to work for one of the big sports companies and he dealt with Manure quite a lot. Their coaching staff told him they usually didn't keep anyone who didn't have pace - as it was the one thing they couldn't teach. Technical ability, when, where, how to pass; shooting, dribbling, were all things that could be taught. However pace is something you either have or you don't.
If we could all get quicker I'd be running in the Olympics next year! mmmmmm come to think of it..........

[rs1978]

Radders, on 07 September 2011 - 12:33 PM, said:

Disagree completely. You cannot - under any circumstances teach pace! You either have it or you don't. A mate of mine used to work for one of the big sports companies and he dealt with Manure quite a lot. Their coaching staff told him they usually didn't keep anyone who didn't have pace - as it was the one thing they couldn't teach. Technical ability, when, where, how to pass; shooting, dribbling, were all things that could be taught. However pace is something you either have or you don't.
If we could all get quicker I'd be running in the Olympics next year! mmmmmm come to think of it..........

I'm sure with the correct training/conditioning, small improvements can be made - but, I agree that it's unlikely that any player considered slow would be able to become fast i.e. you could probably train someone to go from 7/10 to 8/10, but not from 4/10 to 8/10 whatever you try.

[boot]

Radders, on 07 September 2011 - 12:33 PM, said:

Disagree completely. You cannot - under any circumstances teach pace! You either have it or you don't. A mate of mine used to work for one of the big sports companies and he dealt with Manure quite a lot. Their coaching staff told him they usually didn't keep anyone who didn't have pace - as it was the one thing they couldn't teach. Technical ability, when, where, how to pass; shooting, dribbling, were all things that could be taught. However pace is something you either have or you don't.
If we could all get quicker I'd be running in the Olympics next year! mmmmmm come to think of it..........

Agreed - and the 100m quote is nonsense - footballers run in short sharp bursts - explosive speed over short distances - you either have it or you don't as you say. Bowery is supposed to be the quickest we have - but over 5 yards ?

[Bonnyman]

Radders, on 07 September 2011 - 12:33 PM, said:

Disagree completely. You cannot - under any circumstances teach pace! You either have it or you don't. A mate of mine used to work for one of the big sports companies and he dealt with Manure quite a lot. Their coaching staff told him they usually didn't keep anyone who didn't have pace - as it was the one thing they couldn't teach. Technical ability, when, where, how to pass; shooting, dribbling, were all things that could be taught. However pace is something you either have or you don't.
If we could all get quicker I'd be running in the Olympics next year! mmmmmm come to think of it..........

Im not sure you are correct radders,i have had a few little run ins with calvin plummers socks but on this occasion he may be correct,he didnt say he could teach pace he said he could develop it,take downes for example he has lost his pace but it may be not only down to his injury but his training regime,sprinting involves fast twitch muscles i know downes has said he has done a lot of biking in his rehab,im not sure biking is good for fast twitch muscle groups.Im pretty much sure that if anybody was involved with a good sprint coach they would improve not only their times but their tecnique.

[lindo-spireite]

Sprint speed, acceleration can be worked on and improved - fact.

[boot]

lindo-spireite, on 07 September 2011 - 02:17 PM, said:

Sprint speed, acceleration can be worked on and improved - fact.

#
Upto a point but you can't turn 'em into players with genuine pace.Ernie Moss was improved by getting him to shorten his stride but he never had what we would recognise as 'pace'. You can't teach pace just as you can't teach bravery to a keeper.

[lindo-spireite]

boot, on 07 September 2011 - 03:44 PM, said:

#
Upto a point but you can't turn 'em into players with genuine pace.Ernie Moss was improved by getting him to shorten his stride but he never had what we would recognise as 'pace'. You can't teach pace just as you can't teach bravery to a keeper.

Yes, improved to the persons potential. Just like technique, and ball skills can be improved to the players potential.

Mendy is known for having pace, therefore it can be improved.

[Spire Power]

bonnyman, on 07 September 2011 - 01:41 PM, said:

Im not sure you are correct radders,i have had a few little run ins with calvin plummers socks but on this occasion he may be correct,he didnt say he could teach pace he said he could develop it,take downes for example he has lost his pace but it may be not only down to his injury but his training regime,sprinting involves fast twitch muscles i know downes has said he has done a lot of biking in his rehab,im not sure biking is good for fast twitch muscle groups.Im pretty much sure that if anybody was involved with a good sprint coach they would improve not only their times but their tecnique.

I've got a twitch but I'm still not very fast

[calvin plummers socks]

Radders, on 07 September 2011 - 12:33 PM, said:

Disagree completely. You cannot - under any circumstances teach pace! You either have it or you don't. A mate of mine used to work for one of the big sports companies and he dealt with Manure quite a lot. Their coaching staff told him they usually didn't keep anyone who didn't have pace - as it was the one thing they couldn't teach. Technical ability, when, where, how to pass; shooting, dribbling, were all things that could be taught. However pace is something you either have or you don't.
If we could all get quicker I'd be running in the Olympics next year! mmmmmm come to think of it..........

??!
I think you should re read my post!
Getting quicker won't get 99.9% " in the Olympics" but anyone's pace /speed etc can be developed. (otherwise I may quit my job now)!
Developing speed is the easiest thing to do. (actually that's not quite true-strength is easier).
If speed can't be developed then why do athletes train? Why does Usain Bolt need a coach?
I know I've even bored myself with some of my fitness postings(!) but as it's the only thing I know anything about I hopefully can speak with a bit of authority.
A lot have spoken about Bowery's pace but as much as I'd love the lad to so really well-his pace is actually quite poor. his agility isn't great (which is all-important in the infamous 'first 5 yards'), his top end speed not the best either.
It's true that football is a game of short bursts of multi-directional speed at varying paces but it's all relative to a players top end 100m speed (although I'm not saying players should run 100m).

[calvin plummers socks]

bonnyman, on 07 September 2011 - 01:41 PM, said:

Im not sure you are correct radders,i have had a few little run ins with calvin plummers socks but on this occasion he may be correct,he didnt say he could teach pace he said he could develop it,take downes for example he has lost his pace but it may be not only down to his injury but his training regime,sprinting involves fast twitch muscles i know downes has said he has done a lot of biking in his rehab,im not sure biking is good for fast twitch muscle groups.Im pretty much sure that if anybody was involved with a good sprint coach they would improve not only their times but their tecnique.

Great post Bonnyman- Watching Downes at MK really shocked me how slow he was-he looked really awful. Biking for rehab for a footballer (or anyone involved in a running activity) is along with rowing the worst exercise you can do. I'd be horrified if town encouraged him to do this:-(
(it effectively 'shortens' the hamstrings and causes a greater quad/hamstring imbalance than normal-lethal for any sports performer)