Skrtel to Zenit

[Frogfish]

I watched the game vs Melbourne Victory in full last night, and I must say the person who stood out at the back was Wisdom.... his timing and ability to take the ball then pass out of defence was very composed.... he's definitely ready for a regular 1st team run.

We need some height at the centre of our defence, one shortie is OK but Wisdom doesn't win headers, he's no Cannavaro that can fly. He's young, makes many mistakes, doesn't read the game fast enough and is no-where near ready to take a starting position in the centre of our defence, 4th in line is about right for where his play is right now.

If Skrtl goes it surely means Papa is in the bag.

 

[mark1975]

Wisdom can't win headers? Have you watched him Froggy?

 

[ILD]

Guys, can anyone answer me this?

Skrtel's stock has fallen dramatically over the season. City we're sniffing around and many of us including me we're demanding 20million for him. Now i'd happily take 8-10 million. So what happened? Did his form dip? Did Rogers bomb him out of the side?

 

[mark1975]

Guys, can anyone answer me this?

Rodgers took him out the side after one of the cup games (in which he wasn't the only or main culprit).

I guess he's the player most similar in style to Carragher, so he was the one who gave way, but he looked short on confidence. That said, for the first few months we lacked cohesion and organisation, we were also having to rely heavily on Shelvey, Sterling and Suso as first teamers, which didn't help defensively. The whole defense struggled until Carragher came back in and gave us some much needed assurance and leadership at the back, that shouldn't really be a poor reflection on Skrtel.

Some seem to think that he's been poor, he was excellent in his first season or so and was a mainstay in the back four that came 2nd, he had a great season under Kenny too, I just don't think our setup helped the defense during Rodgers' initial bedding in period, they all struggled and they all looked horribly exposed.

 

[doctor_mac]

Indeed, and the pass at all costs mentality softened in the second half of the season, with the team mixing up the play and going more direct at times, which took some pressure off the defence too. Skrtel didn't go from one our best players to one of our shittest. There is still a fine CB in there.

 

[Judge Jules]

Agreed. He's still the only CB I've ever seen who outmonstered Drogba in his pomp. That doesn't just disappear into thin air.

 

[keniget]

That doesn't just disappear into thin air.

Skrtel aside, sometimes it does... weird as it is.

 

[Pesam]

Central defenders are compromised by dodgy fullbacks. I actually quite like Glenjo and Enrique but they've both been very hit-and-miss over the last 18 months and this has been reflected in the form of Agger and Skrtel. I've always liked Agger & Skrtel and think they should be our 2 starting CB's this season but we do need to address the full back situation and get a monster DM'er too.

 

[the_khl]

Rodgers took him out the side after one of the cup games (in which he wasn't the only or main culprit).

I guess he's the player most similar in style to Carragher, so he was the one who gave way, but he looked short on confidence. That said, for the first few months we lacked cohesion and organisation, we were also having to rely heavily on Shelvey, Sterling and Suso as first teamers, which didn't help defensively. The whole defense struggled until Carragher came back in and gave us some much needed assurance and leadership at the back, that shouldn't really be a poor reflection on Skrtel.

Some seem to think that he's been poor, he was excellent in his first season or so and was a mainstay in the back four that came 2nd, he had a great season under Kenny too, I just don't think our setup helped the defense during Rodgers' initial bedding in period, they all struggled and they all looked horribly exposed.

I too think Skrtel has been treated rather harshly by the gaffer, I don't agree it was a one game only decision though.

The cup game was obviously the final straw but before that game he hit that horrendous back-pass in the City game and was often giving away needless freekicks when forward players had their back turned to our goal and wasn't even posing a real threat. For what it's worth, because I know this will be raised now, I believe Agger was equally poor in the first half of the Season, but I can surely understand why Rodgers felt the need to rotate and make way for Carra.

Whenever Skrtel then was given minutes during Spring (especially the Cup tie against Rubin springs to mind) he looked disinterested and demotivated. Not blaming him as he certainly was given the tough treatment, but he didn't make it difficult for Rodgers to drop him again as he looked like he'd rather be elsewhere.

I have never been a big fan of Skrtel the player, I don't rate his positioning - game intelligence if you like - and also believe he's got a tendency to make wrong decisions in pivotal moments especially when we are up against the best opponents and the game is at pace.

He is however overall a decent defender and strong in physique and good on the ball too. In my opinion, he is just not a top defender, and I believe we could rather easily replace him, especially at this moment in time with him not being part of the plans.

 

[RolandG]

A loan move doesn't make sense as Napoli have the cash to do a deal. If he goes on loan then we must include a clause where they will buy him outright next season depending on form and appearances. Skrtel will do well in Serie A under Rafa.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Tutto Sport are reporting that Liverpool and Napoli have agreed a one year loan deal for the Slovakian Centre back.

We better have someone in mind if we're letting him go.

 

[Hansern]

Odds on with a move to Zenit. Loads of stuff on twitter aswell about a permanent transfer,

I really hope we've got Papadopolous lined up.

 

[gkmacca]

We just don't know what went on behind closed doors. Maybe Martin didn't seem to take in what Rodgers was trying to coach. As has been said, he was really good the previous couple of seasons. Unless he really is resistant to changes in his game I can't see why he can't recover his form.

 

[6TimesaRed]

Looking like a permanent switch to Zenit now...

 

[Modo]

Didn't we buy him from Zenit?

 

[6TimesaRed]

We just don't know what went on behind closed doors. Maybe Martin didn't seem to take in what Rodgers was trying to coach. As has been said, he was really good the previous couple of seasons. Unless he really is resistant to changes in his game I can't see why he can't recover his form.

I just don't think he suits Rodgers playing style. Ball distribution is poor and he makes far too many mistakes...

 

[gkmacca]

I just don't think he suits Rodgers playing style. Ball distribution is poor and he makes far too many mistakes...

Certainly true last year.

 

[Frogfish]

Wisdom can't win headers? Have you watched him Froggy?

Every match. He is constantly out-headed unless it falls on his noggin. And attackers seem to dance around him at will.

 

[Roopy]

Big tall white skinhead eastern european - he fits the Zenit transfer policy 100%

 

[Squiggles]

We should fuck Coates off and keep Skrtel. He's proven his class to us and should be given another year to fight for his place.

It's a shame to me that Rodgers doesn't seem to rate him.

 

[StevieM]

We should fuck Coates off and keep Skrtel. He's proven his class to us and should be given another year to fight for his place.

It's a shame to me that Rodgers doesn't seem to rate him.

We should fuck off both Skrtel & Coates, buy 1 really good defender & give Wisdom an opportunity.

 

[Dreambeliever]

Meh, he went down hill massively after the city error at home that cost us 3 points at the time we really needed them.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Didn't The Tongue mention in January that he'd move to Russia?

 

[kingjulian]

Whose tongue?

 

[Der Alte]

Meh. I've never really rated him. Even when he had his one good season it always looked like the next big mistake was just around the corner. I'm quite happy if he goes.

 

[Modo]

I just realised something.
Remember the Skrtel v Agger debate we had like a year ago?

Team Agger just won!

 

[RolandG]

Come on Zenit, pay us quick.

 

[the_khl]

I just realised something.
Remember the Skrtel v Agger debate we had like a year ago?

Team Agger just won!

"And now you'll see Modo's right hand enter the cube.... "

 

[Modo]

"And now you'll see Modo's right hand enter the cube.... "