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Player Watch Player Watch: Oliver Skipp

thecook

Well-Known Member
Jan 17, 2009
5,575
10,960
Poch did him no favours with the choice of game to start him in, especially with the weather, but it shows great character and a lot of talent to come in and do well in those conditions. Hope he builds on this.

I'm not sure what the weather has to do with it, but game wise it was a good game as Burnley were always going to sit deep and not press too much, therby giving him a bit more time on the ball
 

C0YS

Just another member
Jul 9, 2007
12,780
13,817
I certainly understand that our DM’s often act as a decoy to make space for the pass further ahead but I’m calling it as I see it and there were multiple occasions where Toby, Davies, Sissoko and Rose all took a look at Skipp in space but opted to take another touch and an alternative option. Not saying he had a bad game but just calling it as I saw it. I suppose (optimistically) that we’re also learning not to throw the weight of responsibility on our youngsters when they get thrown into the deep end. Foyth learned the hard way, as did KWP somewhat. Sissoko dropping back to help and us not giving Skipp the ball every possible occasion in order to capaitalize on his debut was a good move, if this was preemptive that is. Ease them in.
Mate I'm watching the game, 50mins in and I'm not seeing it at all. Skipp is mostly playing within a triangle of Burnley players, and is moving for space in that triangle. Most of the time he isn't even trying to make himself available, but rather occupying that space well. A few times he asks for the ball to be played quickly into him for him to lay it off, as one pass and he could take those three players out of the game. But these are really split second moments that is hard for other players to spot. So far he is actually playing much better than I remembered.

In my experience whenever you focus on one player you always think people seem to be intentionally avoiding them. Forgetting that most players have various options at one single point in time.

Edit: Watched the whole match. Honestly, really don't see the not being passed to rubbish. Skipp was rarely the free man, and channels to Skipp were blocked by Barnes. Skipp was occupying the space between the three forward players and essentially pushing far up the field, giving defenders space to run into. He spent a lot of the game directing the defense to where space was and where they should pass. A few times he was a risky but good pass option because he could take a lot of the team out with a quick clever pass, but I think these opportunities not being taken were not avoiding him as such.

Skipp often covered for Rose and Davies, but rarely came deep to help pass the ball, or even to act as a decoy, that we often use. He never needed to because in the end the defense actually had a lot of space with Burnley just sitting deep. He did his job well, but was the holder, he rarely got close to the opposition box and has mentioned previously covered fullback and CB runs. When Eriksen came on he became more offensively involved, making a few good runs.

He over hit a few passes early but as he settled he rarely gave the ball away, and when he did he recovered well. He passed very quickly and precisely and demonstrated his soon to be trademark, quick vertical short balls, hit with wonderful pace. Had a lovely cross field pass as well. His pressing was very impressive and made two or three very impressive blocks, and competed well in the air (Davies was outstanding with his aggressive early heading btw). Showed good touch as well to get out of pressure situations. Honestly if you take out the first 15 mins, you would think he'd been playing for years. Quietly impressive!
 
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Wearegoingtowintheleague

Well-Known Member
Nov 10, 2018
811
4,253
Delighted for him, he did well on his premier league debut. Obviously more to come from him, but he should be happy after that performance.

Well done Skippy
 

chinaman

Well-Known Member
Jul 19, 2003
17,974
12,423
And I am very impressed with his positioning, either offering himself as a passing channel or plugging up the passing lanes for the opposition. Very good and mature performance for an 18-year old making his debut.
 

coys200

Well-Known Member
May 22, 2017
8,436
17,403
Ok last season at home he got an average of 72 passes a match. Pretty high, the 9th highest in the league. The two seasons before though he got 55 passes a match. Much more normal.

Even last season though, he only had four games with more than 80 passes, and only two where he played in Midfield.

116 vs Brighton (at CB,so not really the same..)
104 vs Huddersfield.
83 vs Palace (away and at CB)
82 vs Swansea

So such performances are the exception not the norm.

This season Winks has had only one performance of +80

93 vs Cardiff

Last season he had two.

111 vs APOEL
88 vs Brighton.

So yeh... 80 is high, for anybody actually, even CBs (unless you play for Man city or, this season, Chelsea).

I think you’re taking the point a bit to seriously. I just made a point that others noticed that it appeared there were occasions other players took another option. From previous games I thought 54 was on the low side for a DM in a dominant game. Tbh it wasn’t really that important a point and nothing to do with how Skipp actually performed. The other players probably did what we’ve all done even playing on a Sunday morning. When my little cousin played with us I just wouldn’t pass it as much to him, I think it’s just a natural feeling until they really get to trust Skipp.
 

Scissors&Tape

Well-Known Member
May 17, 2018
259
1,007
My impression, for about the first 10-15 minutes, was that they were not passing to Skipp...but that this was their instructions. I.e., Poch told them that to only pass to Skipp if there was no chance of him seeing any pressure, so he could get into the game. And one of his first touches was a bit heavy, and he lost possession which led to a mini break. But after that first part if the match, I didn't see any hesitation to pass to him.
 

coys200

Well-Known Member
May 22, 2017
8,436
17,403
One other thing was it was quite funny he kept telling alderweireld and Davies where to pass. But guess it shows his leadership skills. Be interesting if this prompts an England U19 call up for him as he has been weirdly ignored.
 

ClintEastwould

Well-Known Member
Jul 3, 2012
4,748
9,845
Mate I'm watching the game, 50mins in and I'm not seeing it at all. Skipp is mostly playing within a triangle of Burnley players, and is moving for space in that triangle. Most of the time he isn't even trying to make himself available, but rather occupying that space well. A few times he asks for the ball to be played quickly into him for him to lay it off, as one pass and he could take those three players out of the game. But these are really split second moments that is hard for other players to spot. So far he is actually playing much better than I remembered.

In my experience whenever you focus on one player you always think people seem to be intentionally avoiding them. Forgetting that most players have various options at one single point in time.

Edit: Watched the whole match. Honestly, really don't see the not being passed to rubbish. Skipp was rarely the free man, and channels to Skipp were blocked by Barnes. Skipp was occupying the space between the three forward players and essentially pushing far up the field, giving defenders space to run into. He spent a lot of the game directing the defense to where space was and where they should pass. A few times he was a risky but good pass option because he could take a lot of the team out with a quick clever pass, but I think these opportunities not being taken were not avoiding him as such.

Skipp often covered for Rose and Davies, but rarely came deep to help pass the ball, or even to act as a decoy, that we often use. He never needed to because in the end the defense actually had a lot of space with Burnley just sitting deep. He did his job well, but was the holder, he rarely got close to the opposition box and has mentioned previously covered fullback and CB runs. When Eriksen came on he became more offensively involved, making a few good runs.

He over hit a few passes early but as he settled he rarely gave the ball away, and when he did he recovered well. He passed very quickly and precisely and demonstrated his soon to be trademark, quick vertical short balls, hit with wonderful pace. Had a lovely cross field pass as well. His pressing was very impressive and made two or three very impressive blocks, and competed well in the air (Davies was outstanding with his aggressive early heading btw). Showed good touch as well to get out of pressure situations. Honestly if you take out the first 15 mins, you would think he'd been playing for years. Quietly impressive!
Mate I'm watching the game, 50mins in and I'm not seeing it at all. Skipp is mostly playing within a triangle of Burnley players, and is moving for space in that triangle. Most of the time he isn't even trying to make himself available, but rather occupying that space well. A few times he asks for the ball to be played quickly into him for him to lay it off, as one pass and he could take those three players out of the game. But these are really split second moments that is hard for other players to spot. So far he is actually playing much better than I remembered.

In my experience whenever you focus on one player you always think people seem to be intentionally avoiding them. Forgetting that most players have various options at one single point in time.

Edit: Watched the whole match. Honestly, really don't see the not being passed to rubbish. Skipp was rarely the free man, and channels to Skipp were blocked by Barnes. Skipp was occupying the space between the three forward players and essentially pushing far up the field, giving defenders space to run into. He spent a lot of the game directing the defense to where space was and where they should pass. A few times he was a risky but good pass option because he could take a lot of the team out with a quick clever pass, but I think these opportunities not being taken were not avoiding him as such.

Skipp often covered for Rose and Davies, but rarely came deep to help pass the ball, or even to act as a decoy, that we often use. He never needed to because in the end the defense actually had a lot of space with Burnley just sitting deep. He did his job well, but was the holder, he rarely got close to the opposition box and has mentioned previously covered fullback and CB runs. When Eriksen came on he became more offensively involved, making a few good runs.

He over hit a few passes early but as he settled he rarely gave the ball away, and when he did he recovered well. He passed very quickly and precisely and demonstrated his soon to be trademark, quick vertical short balls, hit with wonderful pace. Had a lovely cross field pass as well. His pressing was very impressive and made two or three very impressive blocks, and competed well in the air (Davies was outstanding with his aggressive early heading btw). Showed good touch as well to get out of pressure situations. Honestly if you take out the first 15 mins, you would think he'd been playing for years. Quietly impressive!

I suppose I should’ve given the caveat that I saw bits and pieces of the second half as I was at work. I don’t doubt your assessment of Skipp. I honestly have no basis to judge the kid at all. My main point was really that I hope we are beginning to learn how to ease in our youngsters. Foyth and KWP have had wild ups and downs this season and they may well be the kind who come out the better for it but I can’t help to think that some young players may not be able to handle that. Mostly musing. Sorry for any confusion.
 

yusrisafri

Well-Known Member
Jun 27, 2004
6,369
7,548
He was crap tonight ....made bad passes, fluffed some balls, bad decisions. He needs to do better next game.



Cmon Danny, you can do better.

Skipp on the other hand was impressive on his debut

(I bet some people were already sharpening their knives)
 

BPR_U16

Well-Known Member
Jun 28, 2006
1,783
2,603
Not sure if ever see a centre midfield with both Winks and Skipp though. Impression is they would appear very similar.
 

Blake Griffin

Well-Known Member
Oct 3, 2011
14,133
38,225
Not sure if ever see a centre midfield with both Winks and Skipp though. Impression is they would appear very similar.

whilst they might be similar in stature, skipp is closer to dier in position and playing style than he is winks. he's also spent a fair chunk of his youth career at cb which is something winks rarely ever did.
 

JimmyG2

SC Supporter
Dec 7, 2006
15,014
20,779
I think you’re taking the point a bit to seriously. I just made a point that others noticed that it appeared there were occasions other players took another option. From previous games I thought 54 was on the low side for a DM in a dominant game. Tbh it wasn’t really that important a point and nothing to do with how Skipp actually performed. The other players probably did what we’ve all done even playing on a Sunday morning. When my little cousin played with us I just wouldn’t pass it as much to him, I think it’s just a natural feeling until they really get to trust Skipp.

When I played Sunday league
with my much younger little brother
I passed to him as often as possible.

We were relegated that season
with 8 points from 20 games
and conceded 150 goals.

Family matters.
 

mark87

Well-Known Member
Nov 29, 2004
36,031
114,057
When I played Sunday league
with my much younger little brother
I passed to him as often as possible.

We were relegated that season
with 8 points from 20 games
and conceded 150 goals.

Family matters.

I take it your much younger little brother was watching from the sidelines?
 

RichieS

Well-Known Member
Dec 23, 2004
11,916
16,436
And I am very impressed with his positioning, either offering himself as a passing channel or plugging up the passing lanes for the opposition. Very good and mature performance for an 18-year old making his debut.
There was a Burnley attack in the first half where they stretched us in a way that pulled both Toby and Davies over to the right. One of them got a tackle in and the ball bobbled loose across the edge of the box where Skipp had dropped in to cover. It was a good bit of anticipation/positioning and he calmly got the danger away. I also enjoyed a tackle he made that brought Scott Parker to mind.
 

chinaman

Well-Known Member
Jul 19, 2003
17,974
12,423
There was a Burnley attack in the first half where they stretched us in a way that pulled both Toby and Davies over to the right. One of them got a tackle in and the ball bobbled loose across the edge of the box where Skipp had dropped in to cover. It was a good bit of anticipation/positioning and he calmly got the danger away. I also enjoyed a tackle he made that brought Scott Parker to mind.


Yes, I remember that play.
 

Wheeler Dealer

Well-Known Member
Jul 29, 2011
6,863
12,282
My impression, for about the first 10-15 minutes, was that they were not passing to Skipp...but that this was their instructions. I.e., Poch told them that to only pass to Skipp if there was no chance of him seeing any pressure, so he could get into the game. And one of his first touches was a bit heavy, and he lost possession which led to a mini break. But after that first part if the match, I didn't see any hesitation to pass to him.

I don't believe this. You can't start a game where the manager tells you not to pass to a particular player. If he's picked to start then he's available for a pass from the very first second..
 
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