Martin Skrtel

[Leo No.8]

What really bothers me about him is that all season we have looked much worse defensively when Skrtel plays.

 

I think its fair to say you could pick out a number of individual errors on his part this season, primarily with the aerial ball and defending set pieces. Those can be cut out, but his effect on the defending as a whole and the players around him (particularly Carragher) is far more concerning going forward. The back four seem to be less of a unit when he plays.

 

He is a bit frantic, overly aggressive when a player gets the ball into feet in front of him grabbing and holding them uneccesarily, then I feel not aggressive enough when it comes to defending crosses and balls into the box. He either heads out weakly leaving a second ball to contend, loses his man or fails to challenge the header forcefully enough.

 

I do think a top quality centre half should have a galvanising effect on the whole back four. Sami Hyypia did it for ten years here, we were solid when he arrived and left and it wasn't just down to his outstanding individual ability. Its the organising, reading of the game and calming influence on the players around him that make Hyypia so great an asset.

 

I think Agger is similar, when he plays not only is he an oustanding footballer and centre half but we look better defensively as a team. He does it in a different way to Hyypia, by bringing composure; in winning and keeping the ball for the team he takes the pressure off the other defenders by not giving the ball back to the opposition.

 

Carragher is just Carragher. He is a great leader, a great defensive defender in terms of positioning, tackling and being in the right place at the right time to thwart attacks. But a player of his type, a destroyer needs a certain level of composure next to him to allow him to just do what he's good at. Hyypia gave him that, Agger does too but Skrtel doesn't.

 

When Skrtel and Carragher play together we lack solidity as a unit. Skrtel is lacking in confidence and composure, his positioning is questionable (I thought it was for their first goal last night for example, seemed to be in no man's land when the ball was played across initially) and he struggles defending the aerial ball which feeds down to the rest of the team.

 

I think its hard to argue with the assertion that we look a completely different defensive unit when Agger and Carragher play together, and having quite liked Skrtel early on I now feel he has to improve fast or we'd be better off getting rid. I couldn't have imagined saying that before this season, I thought he'd be a fine asset for years to come but there it is.

Edited December 10, 2009 by Leo No.8

[Gunga Din]

i think as usual you have hit the nail on the head Leo. he looks rubbish at the minute. with him and Insua in the back 4 regularly, its really not been a surprise we have been shipping goals.

[Raj]

He's had a bad start to the season, but I have seen enough prior to that, to suggest he can become a good player for us

[mathewbet1]

Been very poor has Skrtle, 3rd choice now think hes good enough backup.

[Raj]

Insua

 

He's a far greater concern for me. If fit, I would like to see Aurelio restored to left back. He's far more disciplined, tactically and positionally

[fred milne]

Agree with all that, Leo. The only thing I'd add is that we need to start thinking about a long-term replacement for Carra with a strong, aggressive centre-back who attacks the ball in the air. It sounded like Rafa was interested in Shawcross last summer so that might be one to watch.

[Stevie H]

been disappointed with skrtel overall. really thought we'd signed our nuts and bolts s***kicking east european centre half, a vidic type, full of fire and brimstone. he's looked like a nervous kitten this season.

[CarraLegend]

Skrtel's been piss poor this season, I havent given up hope yet mind and doubt we'll have the funds to make an upgrade in the summer unfortunately.

 

I dont think Agger has been all that since he come back either, his passing has been way off aswell. He was great against Man Utd but has been a bit shakey at other times imo. The recent clean sheets are nice but it was against piss poor teams and even then Reina was needed. A lot better than Skrtel at the moment mind.

[Mike]

kvarme.

 

i know i keep saying it, but remember how he looked the part when he signed, tough tackling, scary b*****d. then danny f***ing cadamatri made him look a t*** at the theatre of beams and the illusion came crashing down.

[Case]

We need a 'Hansen'. Problem is .... there aren't any.

[Hassony]

kvarma was good for 2 months before he got found out, skrtel has been very good for 18 months

 

He has been poor this season, but he isn't a poor player, far from it

Edited December 10, 2009 by Hassony

[Leo No.8]

We need a 'Hansen'. Problem is .... there aren't any.

 

I think Agger can be our modern day Hansen.

 

What worries me is how injury prone he is. Skrtel may be good enough as backup, but you have to say that judging by Agger's injury record so far, his understudy is likely to be playing a lot so he needs to be quality.

 

Martin Kelly looks like he might be class; I even think he might be the ultimate answer but obviously its to early to tell yet and its hard to put too much faith in a young player who is pretty much untested so far in such a crucial position. He may have played a lot more recently had it not been for injuries since his one and only game against Lyon so far.

 

Have to say though I was immensely impressed with his first performance; he was oustanding against a good side, on a big stage and not even playing in his preferred position. His immediate confidence, athelticism and lanky gait reminded me a bit of a young Steven Gerrard playing right back when he first got into the first team.

Edited December 10, 2009 by Leo No.8

[Mike]

kvarma was good for 2 months before he got found out, skrtel has been very good for 18 monthsHe has been poor this season, but he isn't a poor player, far from it

 

no

[Dominus Maximus]

Don't really rate Skrtel to be honest. He lacks in excelling at something. Agger can pass and organize, Jamie can lead, but Skrtel doesn't really have things he is really good at. Poor positioning, and poor in the air for a guy of his size. If we really are skint, he is one of the players I would move, and give his place in the squad to a youngster, or buy a real defender to take over when Carra leaves.

 

Im getting worried, when Steve and Carras ability declines, who is going to take over? Skrtel is never getting better than what we've already seen. And we've experienced this the hard way. That said the defensive side of Liverpool really needs sorting out. Rather play with the greek than Skrtel. At least he excells in the air, and is a real hard-ass.

[mick]

Agree with Skrtel and esp Insua.

 

Despite being very unlucky with injuries we have been so poor defensively this season we would struggle to win games despite who we had upfront.

[Gunga Din]

He's a far greater concern for me. If fit, I would like to see Aurelio restored to left back. He's far more disciplined, tactically and positionally

 

i'd have Dossena in ahead of Insua.

 

i said a few games in that Insua was suspect, but as usual on this place everyone was looking through rose tinted specs and refuse to believe anything might be a problem until the problem becomes so big it becomes the main issue.

 

we've dicked about with left back for 2 years, spent however much bringing in Dossean and Aurelio, f*** knows how much on wages, one is never fit, the other neither fit nor looking up to the job, and more worryingly, none as good or reliable as the waster they replaced, who wasnt that bloody good to begin with

Edited December 10, 2009 by Gunga Din

[RedHarvest]

Unfortunately all the evidence is pointing to Skrtel not being up to it in the long run IMO.

 

I have to stop myself from passing the same judgement on Insua cos he's done well generally but his positioning is naive and he doesnt have great pace - an essential element for an attacking full back.

[Smith]

kvarma was good for 2 months before he got found out, skrtel has been very good for 18 months

 

He has been poor this season, but he isn't a poor player, far from it

 

All true. He, like quite a few others, have underperformed this season. But there's still a player somewhere in there.

I actually think he's another victim of what's currently not well at Liverpool FC.

[Jim Price]

Not really sure what kind of defender Skrtel is. He was meant to be a hardcase but seen little evidence of that unless you count half arsed late tackles. Unconvincing in the air, no confidence on the ball, a bit slow, doesn't read the game, not likely to get you a goal at a set piece. Well short of the quality we need.

 

What's happened with Ayala? The game against long ball playing Stoke, he didn't lose a header all game. Didn't look any great shakes on the ball but I put that down to nerves.

[Hassony]

no

Yeah, I remember you saying that last season

[Mike]

Yeah, I remember you saying that last season

 

then we're in agreement

[Leo No.8]

i'd have Dossena in ahead of Insua.

 

i said a few games in that Insua was suspect, but as usual on this place everyone was looking through rose tinted specs and refuse to believe anything might be a problem until the problem becomes so big it becomes the main issue.

 

we've dicked about with left back for 2 years, spent however much bringing in Dossean and Aurelio, f*** knows how much on wages, one is never fit, the other neither fit nor looking up to the job, and more worryingly, none as good or reliable as the waster they replaced, who wasnt that bloody good to begin with

 

I like Insua, but I actually think playing him non stop at the moment is damaging rather than helping his game.

 

He looked the part when got a few games at the end of the season when he was 17, then again when he was 18 and at both of those points I'd have liked to have seen him playing more games as understudy to Aurelio.

 

Now he's got his chance to play more often, he can't get a bloody rest! I think Aurelio needs to be first choice but I don't know why Dossena is seen as being so bad he can't ever play left back again. I think he's OK and has a good attitude.

 

In fact I think the way Dossena has conducted himself during his time at the club deserves a lot of credit. I'd have definitely had him in to give Insua a break recently whilst the young lad has struggled a bit and Aurelio has been injured.

Edited December 10, 2009 by Leo No.8

[Tommy Cockles]

I have never seen anything in Skrtel to suggest he will be a top player for us.

 

At his best he is competent enough but when his form dips, as now, he is a mistake waiting to happen.

 

He's had an easy ride from fans as he is a bit of a cult figure given his hard man looks etc.

[Hassony]

Not really sure what kind of defender Skrtel is. He was meant to be a hardcase but seen little evidence of that unless you count half arsed late tackles. Unconvincing in the air, no confidence on the ball, a bit slow, doesn't read the game, not likely to get you a goal at a set piece. Well short of the quality we need.

He isn't slow for starters, he is a good man marker, good tackler

his main problem is his heading, and that he isn't commanding enough

[Raj]

i said a few games in that Insua was suspect

 

i think Insua has decent attributes and can certainly improve, but I dont think he is ready to play as a first choice left back for us.

 

also, aurelio is far superior to riise, its a shame he cant stay fit enough for long enough