agrdavidsfan
Ledley's Knee!
- Aug 25, 2005
- 10,918
- 13,352
That turn out under pressure if that was Bentacur or Bissouma we’d have months of videos to show of it
Player Watch Player Watch: Oliver Skipp
- Thread starter Dharmabum
- Start date
Finchyid
Well-Known Member
- Jun 27, 2017
- 3,787
- 11,987
Should have started
To be fair to him, I think overall he has been pretty reasonable when called upon bearing in mind he doesn't get a regular run of games. Yes has his limitations and clearly down the pecking order but he is mobile and can physically hold his own and not afraid to put his foot in.
yido_number1
He'll always be magic
- Jun 8, 2004
- 8,670
- 16,854
I think he gets a lot of unfair flack. He's tidy in possession and is always up for it. Definitely worth keeping as a back up at the very least.
McFlash
In the corner, eating crayons.
- Oct 19, 2005
- 12,896
- 46,116
There was that period before his injury where he was playing regularly and literally getting better with every game until he was probably first choice midfielder.Getting back to his old self with every game
That long lay off really affected him it would appear because as you say, he's improving with every game again, as his confidence grows.
That turn was a thing of beauty that I didn't know he had up his sleeve and I'm ashamed to say, made me do a Neville.
Deserves to start the next game.
Bluto Blutarsky
Well-Known Member
- Mar 4, 2021
- 15,166
- 70,680
I thought he was pretty useless in the attack - a lot of ball watching, imo.
Now, I did think he could have moved back to play the role PEH did - but Skipp was not doing well in the more attacking role - just not instinctive enough in that role.
He was fine defensively - but Ange does not seem to trust him in the deeper role.
PLTuck
Eternal Optimist
- Aug 22, 2006
- 15,940
- 33,182
Yeah that makes sense. I went and found his match stats and they support what you say. I remember him doing a lovely pass early on that came to nothing, and at least twice he made a crucial tackle. His pass rate was 96%. But yeah his offensive contribution wasn't there. Just thought it was a bit harsh on him.
But it's about the team and the team won. I'm just desperate for the lad to do well.
thebenjamin
Well-Known Member
- Jul 1, 2008
- 12,268
- 38,973
Still not sure what his best position is. Probably one of a double pivot. Generally sit, occasional forward burst. Unfortunately, we don't play that system.
joey55
Well-Known Member
- May 20, 2005
- 9,691
- 3,170
If he was at West Ham or Everton, where he'd play every game, he'd have several England caps by now. He's clearly a step above anything our academy has produced in midfield for decades. Possibly the best since Hoddle, unless I'm missing someone obvious and the likes of Beckham and Redknapp don't count. Because of the false dawns of Carroll, Winks, Livermore and Mason etc, 3 of which got capped by England, I think fans a naturally cautious. I'm not saying he should be in our first team, as we've got some serious talent in CM.
Unlike the others I mentioned above, Skipp is perfectly capable of filling in and being a squad player for a title winning side. He could even go up level, as he's clearly trying to expand his game in an attacking sense. He's just much better than everything that has come before out of academy, in CM, in recent years and squads do need depth. We'd be crazy to consider letting him go for anything short of big money, as the chances of getting another CM, who is prepared to be a "company man," and stick around despite competition from the likes of Lo Celso, Sarr, Biss, Bentancour and PEH (or replacement) of Skipp's quality, are very slim. A player of Skipp's quality should be playing every week, for one of the established big English clubs and be vying for a place in England's Euro's squad.
Unlike the others I mentioned above, Skipp is perfectly capable of filling in and being a squad player for a title winning side. He could even go up level, as he's clearly trying to expand his game in an attacking sense. He's just much better than everything that has come before out of academy, in CM, in recent years and squads do need depth. We'd be crazy to consider letting him go for anything short of big money, as the chances of getting another CM, who is prepared to be a "company man," and stick around despite competition from the likes of Lo Celso, Sarr, Biss, Bentancour and PEH (or replacement) of Skipp's quality, are very slim. A player of Skipp's quality should be playing every week, for one of the established big English clubs and be vying for a place in England's Euro's squad.
Stamford
Well-Known Member
- Sep 15, 2015
- 4,174
- 20,034
I read the first paragraph and I had to go back on the browser to check I was in the correct thread
Cornpattbuck
Well-Known Member
- Jul 23, 2013
- 6,932
- 16,035
Ghost Hardware
Well-Known Member
- Aug 31, 2012
- 18,327
- 63,029
I feel like it was tactical more then anything he did or didn't do. Ange wanted to bring Kulu into central midfield so by moving a more attacking minded player into CM he felt we needed a more defensive minded one sitting behind them, PEH in this case. Pretty logical switch IMO.
I am by no means Skipps biggest fan but actually in the last two games he's looked very solid to be fair to him. Considering he is HG and club trained he will be probably kept around and I have no issue with that if he continues to play at the level he has been of late. He will obviously never be anything then a squad player but thats fine for now.
Some of the fringe players have actually looked way more settled in the last few matches. Even Gil and PEH (minus his moments of madness) have looked way more assured since the turn of the year than first half of the season.
