Defender Speed

If you have 2 CB's is it important to have 1 who is fast? because i currently have Nordtveit and Vidal (both class Centre backs) but neither are fast, then i have this other good class CB who is fast, so who would i play?

I like to have fast defenders but in truth, if they have great positioning, they shouldn't really need to use it alot.

A deeper defensive line, probably.

Look, here they are:

Nordtveit:http://img225.imageshack.us/my.php?image=havardnordtveituc7.png

Vidal:http://img87.imageshack.us/my.php?image=arturovidaldp3.png

Grimaldi:http://img229.imageshack.us/my.php?image=benjamingrimaldivg2.png

Pace and acceleration of 13 are perfectly fine for a center back if they're good at marking. They would only really get caught out if you played a very high defensive line.

I'd play Vidal with either of the other two. Grimaldi isn't really that fast though.

The first two both have good positioning and marking anyway so pace shouldn't be too much of a worry.

ok, so i'll play Nordtveit and Vidal and keep Grimaldi as a back up

ok, so i'll play Nordtveit and Vidal and keep Grimaldi as a back up

That would be your best bet. Nordveit at Spurs though! Bet the Gunners fans don't like that!

Id stick with the 2 you ar eplaying, both seem to be doing the business

with a deep line speed isn't too important, but i still like to err on the side of caution and have defenders with at least 13 pace and acceleration

I find a deep D-line a problem as it leaves space for an AMC in between my midfield and defence, hence i try to go for quick CBs.

Also, due to the fact the "mark man - specific" tactic is useless, i've found that you can't just designate your quick CB to mark the quicker striker - the strikers swap but the CBs don't...doh, all of which means that 2 quick CBs is quite a large help.

Can a player overcome lack of speed with good positioning ?

Can a player overcome lack of speed with good positioning ?

To some extent, but not entirely. Especially if you're the more dominant team and have high possession - as your team is likely to push up a bit leaving gaps.

I barely ever look at the speed of my defenders as my DM seems to be able to cover up that area, meaning my defenders have less area to cover.

Can a player overcome lack of speed with good positioning ?

A perfect real-life example would be Sami Hyypia.

He's never had any pace, yet would anyone (aside from biased Man Yoo fans) question his ability, or record, as a World-Class Centre Back?

He's on the slide now at 33 obviously, but besides that...

Cannavaro is another example, especially at the 2006 World Cup.

He never was anywhere near quick, but that guy is so well positioned, that it was near impossible to get past him. Maldini was also like that

To some extent, but not entirely. Especially if you're the more dominant team and have high possession - as your team is likely to push up a bit leaving gaps.

It is actually too hard setting a tactic where your CDs stay far back no matter what, even with the deepest possible setting they have a tendency to push up half court .

So i guess poor accelerating defenders need to waste a DM infront of them .

A perfect real-life example would be Sami Hyypia.

He's never had any pace, yet would anyone (aside from biased Man Yoo fans) question his ability, or record, as a World-Class Centre Back?

He's on the slide now at 33 obviously, but besides that...

Sorry man i am not following the Premiership

Surely the best example would be Maldini?

id like to ask a quick question here, im Ipswich and am using Da Vos who has 3 for pace and acceleration, so far this season my team has only been caught out against boro in the league cup. seen as he is slow, how would i best set up instructions when using a slow Cb like him?

Surely the best example would be Maldini?

Mmmmh, I wouldn't say Maldini is the best example... Remember he played for a lot of years as a left full back and surely he was not a turtle

Now he's playing as a CB and his speed/acceleration collapsed, but remember he's 40 years old...

Mmmmh, I wouldn't say Maldini is the best example... Remember he played for a lot of years as a left full back and surely he was not a turtle

Now he's playing as a CB and his speed/acceleration collapsed, but remember he's 40 years old...

Yeah, its a great credit that he's been able to play at the level he has until this age therefore speed doesn't count for everything