Skrtel

[mark1975]

I just wanted to make a quick post about something that has been bugging me forever, especially this season - this myth that Skrtel is terrible on the ball and has zero forward ability.

His passing is largely good, he looks comfortable on the ball, is a threat occasionally in and around the opposition box AND he's capable of bringing the ball forward out of defense when we're looking a bit flat and short of ideas. His touch is good too. What's he doing wrong?

I thought him and Sakho made a massive difference in the second half against Swansea, bringing it out from the back and being more aggressive higher up the pitch, they were both a big factor in the change in performance.

 

[Fabio]

It's because he wasnt agger

But he was just as good and didn't have that Danish vibe

 

[Mystic]

That's because he's bold and angry, which means he's an uncultured thug. This system suits Skrtel, he's got a mistake in him, all three of our centre backs do, but having the additional centre back covers these mistakes 99% of the time, and has allowed our centre backs to focus on doing what they do best, in Skrtel's case, being a no nonsense, hard tackling heavyweight at the back, which is great to see.

 

[My_Blood_Bleeds_Red]

it's cos we fans are a fickle lot and impossible to be pleased.

 

[the count]

I just wanted to make a quick post about something that has been bugging me forever, especially this season - this myth that Skrtel is terrible on the ball and has zero forward ability.

His passing is largely good, he looks comfortable on the ball, is a threat occasionally in and around the opposition box AND he's capable of bringing the ball forward out of defense when we're looking a bit flat and short of ideas. His touch is good too. What's he doing wrong?

I thought him and Sakho made a massive difference in the second half against Swansea, bringing it out from the back and being more aggressive higher up the pitch, they were both a big factor in the change in performance.

I just read today that his passing stats for this season is ever so slightly ahead of Sakho's, which are very impressive.
But I like Sakho which means I can't like Skrtel. 😵

Skrtel was unlucky to be dropped in favour of Carra a few season's back simply because he prefers to play on the right side of the central defence.
Agger was unlucky to be sold because he was a moany fucker who ran crying to the Danish press every time he was dropped

 

[Mamma Mia]

I fucking love Martin Skrtel.

He's been boss for ages.

 

[rubans]

I think he loves Sakho next to him, compliments him well and it's kind of boring on monday for the commentator and the crowd to play on Sahko's old boring steteotypes, i.e. the occasional clumsy moments on the ball when in truth both have really progressed along with Can this year.

 

[hmmmmm1]

Helps playing in a 3, if one of them slightly misjudge a pass/tackle, someone is near by to clear up the mess.

 

[Rosco]

It's because he wasnt agger

But he was just as good and didn't have that Danish vibe

I always feel we're conditioned to expect a centre back partnership consists of one out and out defender and one classier ballplayer who reads the game well.

Skrtel fell easily into one stereotype so pundits had to ignore the rest of his game or their world view would shatter

 

[mark1975]

I always feel we're conditioned to expect a centre back partnership consists of one out and out defender and one classier ballplayer who reads the game well.

Skrtel fell easily into one stereotype so pundits had to ignore the rest of his game or their world view would shatter

Quite, the way some people carried on a few years back, you'd swear he was a yard dog who's game consisted entirely of last ditch tackles to cover his own fucks ups, while hoofing the ball 50 yards everytime it fell to him. Meanwhile Agger would be pinging 50 yard "passes" upfield, when he wasn't rampaging through the entire opposition before scoring a 30 yard screamer.

 

[gkmacca]

When he first arrived he quite often carried the ball out of defense and showed some good skills. Then Rafa coached all of that nonsense out of him. Now he's slowly bringing that back into his game, and he's looking great. It's a shame it's taken so long but he's still got the potential to improve.

 

[Mystic]

I think he loves Sakho next to him, compliments him well and it's kind of boring on monday for the commentator and the crowd to play on Sahko's old boring steteotypes, i.e. the occasional clumsy moments on the ball when in truth both have really progressed along with Can this year.

It makes me laugh when they say it now, it's like they're waiting for one misplaced and then it ticks and they can start rolling the lazy cliches. I like it though, Sakho is great on the ball and great defensively, let them set the tone and hopefully influence other teams to target him, they'll get little luck.

 

[Halmeister]

The commentary for the Swansea game did my nut in. I don't think anybody watches the game any more. They just roll out the clichés, talk about contracts and money and a whole host of off the field stuff, while Martin Tyler waffles on and name drops who he bumped into. It's all shite.

 

[Dreambeliever]

Been a huge fan of Skittles since day one and even though he can be a little rash at times he has stood the test of time and bar one season has been exceptional.

Still our best defender!

 

[SummerOnions]

The commentary for the Swansea game did my nut in. I don't think anybody watches the game any more. They just roll out the clichés, talk about contracts and money and a whole host of off the field stuff, while Martin Tyler waffles on and name drops who he bumped into. It's all shite.

It's cos Michael Owen lowered the bar that much

 

[Red Mullet]

It's cos Michael Owen lowered the bar that much

Is he that short?

 

[Ryan]

When he first arrived he quite often carried the ball out of defense and showed some good skills. Then Rafa coached all of that nonsense out of him. Now he's slowly bringing that back into his game, and he's looking great. It's a shame it's taken so long but he's still got the potential to improve.

I think that's harsh. Rafa taught him how to defend, and he's a far better defender because of it.