Was Gordon Strachan Talking About Dundee

[Bobby123]

Quote from Gordon Strachan

But there has to be a point where I recognise the other team’s physical strength. Denmark won most of the headers and knock-downs on Tuesday. When the ball fell, they got across people and started playing from there. It didn’t start from the back, it started from them 
winning headers, the ball bouncing in the middle of the park and them fighting with people for it.â€

 

[Blue4evr]

Wonder if it's something to do with Strachan and PH being on the small side that they prefer to have smaller midfielders.

[Cobra]

I think we make too much of player size. Dundee have been competitive all season. Having good players is more important than having big players.

[Blue4evr]

Agree it's very important to have good players but think we need one player around 5ft 11in in any team. Strachan said Denmark were the better team and deserved to win. We rode our luck beating them. It's pretty obvious someone around 5, 8 won't win many headers against someone 6ft. It's all about a balanced team.

[HK Blues]

I think we make too much of player size. Dundee have been competitive all season. Having good players is more important than having big players.

Whilst I agree 100% that having good players is more important than having big players, faced with a choice of good and big or good and small, I'd choose the former every time.

[Cobra]

Whilst I agree 100% that having good players is more important than having big players, faced with a choice of good and big or good and small, I'd choose the former every time.

The best player on the planet Lionel Messi would be a lot less effective if he was taller. Quite a lot of players benefit from a lower centre of gravity.

When I think back to points lost this season I think we could have passed better, crossed better and marked better. I don't think if only our players were a bit taller.

[Reverend Lovejoy]

Whilst I agree 100% that having good players is more important than having big players, faced with a choice of good and big or good and small, I'd choose the former every time.

https://www.thedarkblues.co.uk/topic/6899-international-dees/page-8 Cobra's pic in the International Dee's thread is of a team that would be a force to reckoned with in todays SPFL and isn't blessed with many giants.

[Reverend Lovejoy]

The best player on the planet Lionel Messi would be a lot less effective if he was taller. Quite a lot of players benefit from a lower centre of gravity.

When I think back to points lost this season I think we could have passed better, crossed better and marked better. I don't think if only our players were a bit taller.

Agree with you on the above Cobra.

GGH is one of our tallest players yet is poor in the air for a big man, in the recent Derby he got under the ball on a number of occasions and struggled to get any direction or distance on his headers. James Grady was a midget in comparison and was absolutely great in the air.

Heading is a skill, it isn't just something that comes naturally with being tall as some seem to think.

[Cobra]

Agree with you on the above Cobra.

GGH is one of our tallest players yet is poor in the air for a big man, in the recent Derby he got under the ball on a number of occasions and struggled to get any direction or distance on his headers. James Grady was a midget in comparison and was absolutely great in the air.

Heading is a skill, it isn't just something that comes naturally with being tall as some seem to think.

Good point Rev. I recall Griffiths beating Konrad at Parkhead to open the scoring in the 5-0 game. You don't need to be tall to be good in the air.

[Attilio]

Good point Rev. I recall Griffiths beating Konrad at Parkhead to open the scoring in the 5-0 game. You don't need to be tall to be good in the air.

Was just thinking of that same instance.  Griffiths jumped, Konrad was out of position and didn't jump.

[MainStandMenace]

Was just thinking of that same instance.  Griffiths jumped, Konrad was out of position and didn't jump.

on the same note .. Henrik Larsson 5'nuhin and was amazing in the air

[thepole]

It's all about having a balance in the team. A team of small players with ability would be complimented well with a strong midfielder and centre back with perhaps less ability but has other strengths such as winning the ball back or closing down and winning most headers

We have had some decent footballers over the years who have been ineffective due to not having the right balance in the team or having to do a job outwith their strengths