Has Defoe lost a yard?

[Davo99]

I've been relatively impressed with him recently and it's good to see he's been back amongst the goals as he has always struck me as a purple-patch player.

But this is something I've noticed being said around here quite a bit recently but haven't really noticed it myself. Has Jermain really lost a yard of pace do you think? :shrug:

He's nearly 29 now, so would you say he's in his peak or his best years are behind him? (Jesus, Defoe is nearly 30!! Eek ) He is a player with a style that really relies on pace and acceleration, so if he has lost or is losing that short burst of speed, surely he's soon going to be finished?

 

[OmarsComing]

His pace is a myth. Show me a goal where he has out run a defender and scored.

 

[Narnill]

It's always been a myth that his style relies on pace. it's his movement that's always been pretty sharp.

 

[theShiznit]

never been quick, but he's certainly not getting any quicker...

 

[C0YS]

He doesn't rely on Pace, his best days might still be in front of him. Ian Wright a similar kind of player only really started scoring goals at 28 and continued for a good ten years. But I am not saying you should count on it.

People generally are at their physical peak at about 25, but football requires more then the physical side so for most players their peak is from (26-28). Strikers tend to hit there peak at a younger age, same goes for wingers (25-27), defenders older (27-29) and midfielders in the middle, while 28 is still young for a goalkeeper, who tend to reach their peak in their early 30s. But it depends on the individual player.

 

[Davo99]

I think it's more his acceleration he relies on than just pure pace, but I completely disagree that he hasn't got pace. He's not thee quickest, but he's certainly not slow.

 

[C0YS]

I think it's more his acceleration he relies on than just pure pace, but I completely disagree that he hasn't got pace. He's not thee quickest, but he's certainly not slow.

He is quite quick, but because of his size, he has to take smaller strides meaning it looks like he is going quicker then he actually is, same goes for Pienaar. While players like Charlie, Hudd and Kranjcar, while by no means quick players appear slower then they actually are because they take larger strides.

 

[maldini]

Defoe still has that short burst of acceleration that can edge him past a defender over a short distance and pop a shot.

During the Shamrock match, I saw how he slowly walked towards the Shamrock keeper seemingly to give him some pressure into releasing the ball. Then about 10m out he suddenly accelerated towards him, catching the keeper off guard. The keeper's hasty clearance was partially charged down leading to the Pav chance on goal. I say he's still bloody quick over short distances.

 

[theShiznit]

Defoe still has that short burst of acceleration that can edge him past a defender over a short distance and pop a shot.

During the Shamrock match, I saw how he slowly walked towards the Shamrock keeper seemingly to give him some pressure into releasing the ball. Then about 10m out he suddenly accelerated towards him, catching the keeper off guard. The keeper's hasty clearance was partially charged down leading to the Pav chance on goal. I say he's still bloody quick over short distances.

you better be careful...

people been shived for less.

 

[RichSpur58]

Defoe used to be quick over 5 or 10 yards. He has definetley slowed a touch. But its only natural to do so.

 

[Davo99]

you better be careful...

people been shived for less.

:lol:

And COYS, you make a good point but Corluka must be one of the slowest off the mark players I have ever seen. He has such an old-man run on him it's hilarious. :grin:

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

Surely this is a question best answered by Danielle Lloyd?

 

[maldini]

you better be careful...

people been shived for less.

Then I sincerely apologise to the great SHAMROCK Rovers for using the wrong half of their mighty name.

Come on you SPURS !!! :beer:

 

[Davo99]

Surely this is a question best answered by Danielle Lloyd?

Haha, I knew when I wrote the thread name at least one person would make this kind of joke and was about to make it 'yard of pace', but left it to see if in fact someone would make it about his schlong.

Thanks A&C. :clap:

 

[stevenqoz]

No

 

[The Apprentice]

He should get way more tap ins. Some really good balls were fizzed in between the keeper and CBs last night from out wide and Pav/Defoe both seemed to hang back on the penalty spot.

 

[Gilzeanking]

He should get way more tap ins. Some really good balls were fizzed in between the keeper and CBs last night from out wide and Pav/Defoe both seemed to hang back on the penalty spot.

agreed

 

[Spurs1960]

This is England dear boy, we have gardens don't you know, a yard indeed!

For me he should be attacking the six yard box when the winger clearly is going to put it across there but no he can't read the game and reacts to a cross rather than anticipates so 6 yard tap-ins, of which there should have been at least 3 last night, are not taken. A major weakness in his game.

 

[RickyVilla]

He doesn't rely on Pace, his best days might still be in front of him. Ian Wright a similar kind of player only really started scoring goals at 28 and continued for a good ten years. But I am not saying you should count on it.

People generally are at their physical peak at about 25, but football requires more then the physical side so for most players their peak is from (26-28). Strikers tend to hit there peak at a younger age, same goes for wingers (25-27), defenders older (27-29) and midfielders in the middle, while 28 is still young for a goalkeeper, who tend to reach their peak in their early 30s. But it depends on the individual player.

I think you'll find that Ian Wright was knocking in goals for Palace in his early 20's. All this "He was a late bloomer" was a myth.

 

[Spurs_Bear]

He should get way more tap ins. Some really good balls were fizzed in between the keeper and CBs last night from out wide and Pav/Defoe both seemed to hang back on the penalty spot.

They were both absolutely screaming for the ball to be pulled back but Giovani chose the wrong option on one occasion. They gave him a proper bollocking for it too.