We need pace

There is nothing denying it, we need to inject some pace in our squad. It could have been said other years that we had a weakness on that side, but currently it is even worse. The games Kaka don't play it can often look like we play at a snails pace. Of coruse this is not helped by several players looking uninterested and/or possible exhausted players due to WC and injuries.

The new player Gourcuff hardly is a speedster either, but at least he have good movement.

We need both pacy fullbacks and some really fast forward, our current forward line pretty much never burns opponents on pace. Currently we have only Kaka and Serginho (which pretty much is out for ad infinitum), that is pretty much the only ones in the squad. Possibly Oliveira, but maybe his injury have set him back?

It is so much harder for the opponents to defend if we had more pace in the squad and we would actually begin to score in counterattacks again. And maybe just maybe our fullbacks would beat their opponent instead of entirerly relying on Pirlo passes.

Another issue together with this is the lack of off the ball running...

yeah i agree Kris, its a thing that we need to address! Serghino is rumoured to retire at Christmas, and kaka cant do it alone... If we had Suazo, things would be different. Thats the difference from years before, with Sheva being fairly fast, the Pirlo, kaka, and rui costa through balls useto be effective.. Now Oliviera just seems to run into people, and inzaghi needs some new boots for Xmas so he isnt falling over all the time!

With cafu "being seasoned" we cant expect him to make the runs he did 3 years ago...

I agree too, the thing about a player like Sheva was that he could run with the ball at the opposition defense, not just pace but using the ball and possession well. Its not happening as much that we use the ball well to press opposition defenders.
Regarding pacy full backs (who function pretty much like wingers going forward) its more than just pace, we need good crosses and the forwards to fool defenders and move in the box.

There is no denying it...we were made to look positively pedestrian at a Formula 1 race by Suazo...who we should have bought...his pace alone would guarantee some goals..but...thats water under the bridge...shoulda..woulda...coulda..but wi neva..

rezag makes a good point, as these skills for RB and LB would compliment the pace the player should have as a pre-requisite...

Intresting to note how Real played vs Atletico..they put Roberto Carlos at CB, when they went up for set pieces...having brought up their real CBs...they left Carlos in the CB position as he alone of the defenders would have enuf pace to track back a rapid counter.

This is something we dont have the personell to do...and is a glaring omission for the team...if/when Serghino retires...we have no one in defense with any pace whatsoever...so, for Galliani to be mouthing that we only need one player in defense is being slightly ridiculous, and is ostritch like behaviour.

No wonder the curva want him out...though in his defense..he is merely Berlu´s mouthpiece...and there is no questioning that he loves the club...his antics when we score, and his stoic demeanor when we lose cannot be feigned.

The problem is, funds for player aquisitions have never been more scarce under Berlu´s tenure (well, in recent memory at any rate)...and our inactivity in the transfer market is hitting us in more ways than one.

Maybe its time, to do as Liverpool has done, and seek other investors...Berlu isnt the richest club owner anymore...Moratti has/spends more money, and finally, is getting some results (early days yet, and they can still mess up..knowing them)..maybe we need a change of owner..or more investment from the present owner?

Originally Posted by Warro Bantan

Moratti has/spends more money, and finally, is getting some results (early days yet, and they can still mess up..knowing them)..

Hopefully, but that was also due to other, unjust circumstances ...

With regards to the pace of the team, I found that the team seemd to have some 'quality' (compared to now), like Cafu's cross to Crespo against Man Utd in 05. It is also worth considering that we lack pace because of our aging squad, which also causes more injuries.

I think we need pace in wide areas more than anywhere, especially in full back roles as currently our most attacking fullbacks are Cafu (who's now injured ) and Jankulovski. Neither really has great pace anymore.

Also, these players don't really seem too capable at just running at defenders and taking them on. This would be really beneficial to have, as right now only Kaka really runs at players (Oliveira too I guess).

in the midfield, I don't think we necessarily need pace, as we do have Kaka there, but we need a "quickness" in there. Gourcuff of late has provided exactly this. He isn't a particularly fast player (though not bad for pace), but on receiving passes and and moving the ball on he's quick.

We've always needed pace in our team, just not in so much quantity as we do know. Full-backs, central defenders, midfielders, wide players, attackers, strikers, forwards ... whatever area you want to look at in our side, it could be hugely benefited by having someone with genuine pace in there.

No doubt merely suggesting this concept of having better players in our squad is blasphemous to some members here.

Originally Posted by Jim_UK

No doubt merely suggesting this concept of having better players in our squad is blasphemous to some members here.

None ever disagreed about having a better player unless they really loved the player to be replaced. What everyone disagree about is whether that other player actually is better. and also in what way they are better. Roles and needs you know.

Originally Posted by rezag

Regarding pacy full backs (who function pretty much like wingers going forward) its more than just pace, we need good crosses and the forwards to fool defenders and move in the box.

I see about 2/3 (or more) of Milans matches, one thing thats been glaring obvious when it comes to our crosses is from where they are taken. This year we had much more "early" crosses, crosses taken before going as deep as the penalty area. Those mostly work if you have someone really tall, not many defenders there (since it is early) or some great movement combined with a great cross. Currently we fullfill none of those prerequisities. What we mostly scored from before is the deep crosses, the ones coming close form the goalline. Serginho and/or Cafu used to beat their player and put them in. Then you need great movement from the forwards, but you also have the alternative of a back pass to a shooter. this fits us much better and we scored loads of goals like that. against Cagliari we ended up scoring a goal like that trough Gila. but as said, currently most of our crosses are early ones since our players don't beat the opposition.

We used to score on Serginho early crosses sometimes, but in most cases that was due to much faster attacks than now and still not as effective as the late ones.

what I am saying of course is that we need fullbacks that can beat their opponent, they don't have to be fast, but it sure as hell wouldn't hurt.

Well said kris...I endorse your position big time...couldnt have said it better...(maybe I could, but who cares?)

Ever sice this seaon started, i still cant believe what is happening with Milan. This was their good chance to win the season but they're loosing matches so easily as if they're a second division side. However, i've heard that there is a good chance that Shevchenko might come back to milan coz he's still not settled at Chelsea. I hope this is true...............