Skrtel's ability on the ball

[Rory Fitzgerald]

I was of a rather nervous disposition last night for the first 25mins when Inter attacked and we failed to really pass the ball.

 

You know when Carra and Hyypia receive the ball that if they feel under any pressure or someone comes within 10yards of them, they catapult the ball forward.

 

However, the lad Skrtel was content with short passes into Mascherano and playing passes between Inter attackers when playing relatively square balls to other members of the back 4. I texted a mate and told him that I wasnt sure if I was encouraged or worried that Skrtel was content playing football at the back.

 

Its good that no harm was done last night and its encouraging that the lad wants to play football. I was encouraged that a young lad in a new team was comfortable with his ability to play football in such a historic stadium against top players. Looks like we have another Agger on our hands hopefully.

[honourablegeorge]

If he hadn't slipped that pass to Ibrahimovic second half, I'd agree......

 

But yea, early signs are encouraging. He came out with the ball a few times too, looked good.

[Guest Prongsy]

I've been massively impressed by him, he is showing some real signs of class.

 

The way he is starting at one of Europe's top clubs so soon after moving from the Russian league speaks alot about him.

 

I'd go as far as to say we've got the two most promising young centerbacks in the league. Although Agger is established as a top centerback in his own right.

[goodrobotusses]

Great game... apart from that suicide pass. Lad looks quality though - very pleased with him.

[Lee W]

I had to change my trunks when he made a hash of that pass.

[Falconhoof]

For me, you can't have had a great game as a centre half if you pass the ball straight to the other teams striker for a chance on goal. It overshadows a lot of good work.

I'm not saying he's poor, he's promising. But he's got to develop the awareness not to make that sort of mistake.

[shabirmia]

I would expect a few nervous moments with a relatively inexperienced centre-back pairing and that was my concern when the team were announced. Apart from one blunder (which can happen even to top players) he looked very assured on the ball and was probably a more calming influence at the back than Sami.

Very impressive start to his Reds career.

[Guest Prongsy]

For me, you can't have had a great game as a centre half if you pass the ball straight to the other teams striker for a chance on goal. It overshadows a lot of good work.

I'm not saying he's poor, he's promising. But he's got to develop the awareness not to make that sort of mistake.

 

For goodness sake, he made one (unpunished) error - he's still a very young footballer. It doesn't write off the other very good things he did in that game.

 

It was only the other day I posted this...

 

He WILL make mistakes, he WILL be responsible for some goals through lack of positioning but we need to ride through that because that's what young players do, especially ones with little experience in a team and the league.

[CaptainXabi]

Pepe also didn't really help him by giving him the ball in that situation.

[honourablegeorge]

Although Agger is established as a top centerback in his own right.

 

What's the deal with Agger, he didn't even make the bench last night?

 

He did ok for the reerves, didn't he?

[Hassony]

Pepe also didn't really help him by giving him the ball in that situation.

 

He wasn't under pressure when he mis passed the ball, can't see how pepe can get blamed for it

 

Skrtl was superb, he has settled in faster than agger did

[Hassony]

What's the deal with Agger, he didn't even make the bench last night?

 

He did ok for the reerves, didn't he?

 

he is coming back from a long injury, the three centre backs are doing great, no need to risk him just yet

[Smith]

I was of a rather nervous disposition last night for the first 25mins when Inter attacked and we failed to really pass the ball.

 

You know when Carra and Hyypia receive the ball that if they feel under any pressure or someone comes within 10yards of them, they catapult the ball forward.

 

However, the lad Skrtel was content with short passes into Mascherano and playing passes between Inter attackers when playing relatively square balls to other members of the back 4. I texted a mate and told him that I wasnt sure if I was encouraged or worried that Skrtel was content playing football at the back.

 

Its good that no harm was done last night and its encouraging that the lad wants to play football. I was encouraged that a young lad in a new team was comfortable with his ability to play football in such a historic stadium against top players. Looks like we have another Agger on our hands hopefully.

 

 

For goodness sake, he made one (unpunished) error - he's still a very young footballer. It doesn't write off the other very good things he did in that game.

 

It was only the other day I posted this...

 

Well put.

 

In my book you learn from your mistakes, and as mistakes go, this wasn't costly (thank f***). Even after dropping that howler, he didn't lose composure. He's the dog's b******s, this Skrtel lad.

Edited March 12, 2008 by Joe Wilson

[Guest thefly]

to be honest, passing the ball to ibrahimovic was a sensible choice based on how he played last night (i.e. the ol' cows backside/banjo theory)

[honourablegeorge]

he is coming back from a long injury, the three centre backs are doing great, no need to risk him just yet

 

 

Aye, I wouldn't have started him, but you'd expect him to be appearing on the bench now and again.

[fyds]

But...but...Skrtel can't pass, tackle or head the ball - ask Kaizer!

 

menawhile, away from planet lobotomy - I said before we bought him that Rafa would get someone young, most likely no-one on our radar - it's typical of him rather than foresight from me. I knew Skrtel was good (even though one of our Russian watchers disagreed) but I'm amazed at how well he's blended in so soon. Slovakian player of the year last year, too.

[honourablegeorge]

But...but...Skrtel can't pass, tackle or head the ball - ask Kaizer!

 

menawhile, away from planet lobotomy - I said before we bought him that Rafa would get someone young, most likely no-one on our radar - it's typical of him rather than foresight from me. I knew Skrtel was good (even though one of our Russian watchers disagreed) but I'm amazed at how well he's blended in so soon. Slovakian player of the year last year, too.

 

 

If he could nab two under-the-radar wingers for us and a left back, we'd be laughing.

[fyds]

If he could nab two under-the-radar wingers for us and a left back, we'd be laughing.

Well, Babel was a bit of a surprise too. I think Rafa may be inclined to look more at attacking wing-back types for our league than out-and-out wingers. I suspect that's why he was after Alves, and why he likes Arbeloa and Aurelio.

[Dan]

If he hadn't slipped that pass to Ibrahimovic second half, I'd agree......

 

But yea, early signs are encouraging. He came out with the ball a few times too, looked good.

 

Reina was as much to blame as Skrtel there

[Leo No.8]

I remember thinking at the time Skrtel misplaced that pass that despite the scare I hoped it didn't knock his confidence and stop him playing from the back for the rest of the game (and it didn't).

 

He clearly does have the ability to carry the ball and pick his passes, and I can live with the odd mistake if it results in us retaining the ball better by moving the ball on the ground from defence week in week out.

 

Skrtel can perhaps concentrate on defending more when Agger comes back, but I'm hugely impressed by what he has shown so far and more than happy for him to fill the job of ball carrying centre half for the time being.

 

The lad has absolutely tons of ability both defensively and with the ball at his feet; with a bit of moulding by the coaching team he could be one hell of a centre half.

Edited March 12, 2008 by Leo No.8

[Hassony]

He is the Slovak Titus Bramble!

 

 

Rivas reminded of bramble last night (his looks rather than his play)

[Tosh]

He is the Slovak Titus Bramble!

Rivas reminded of bramble last night (his looks rather than his play)

I thought that too. His twin!

[Bailo]

It was Skrtel's cockup, but I don't know why Pepe decided to give him the ball in that instance.

[honourablegeorge]

Well, Babel was a bit of a surprise too. I think Rafa may be inclined to look more at attacking wing-back types for our league than out-and-out wingers. I suspect that's why he was after Alves, and why he likes Arbeloa and Aurelio.

 

Babel was a fairly well known player, though - he'd been linked with Arsenal for years, hardly under the radar, and his price reflected it.

[JRC]

Babel was a fairly well known player, though - he'd been linked with Arsenal for years, hardly under the radar, and his price reflected it.

 

I'd say Skrtels price - being a defender - was equivalent to Babels as an attacker. I would also suggest he is 'younger' - in relative terms - as a defender, than Babel as an attacker, if that makes sense. And our radar is always going to be better tuned to Holland rather than Russia or Slovakia.