Player Watch Player Watch: Oliver Skipp

[@Bobby__Lucky]

We will see. His work ethic, footballing brain and tenacity are his standout traits.

That is the reason I believe he will go so far. I hope he will use someone like Frank Lampard as his role model. Frank took absolute pelters in his first few years. Apparently Frank had no mobility, no technical ability, was fat, couldn’t shoot...

He turned out ok. At 18 you have SO MUCH to improve on. I think Skipp will go very, very far in the game.

He seems to have the right mentality a la kane and winks. That will serve him well. He has enough in his locker to succeed with us IMHO.

 

[smallsnc]

Let’s not go overboard please. I want to see our kids do well. I really want Skipp to do well. Some of the comments on here is so OTT it is unbelievable. I have watched him at close quarters for a few years. He is not in Scotty Parker’s league. Some of us need to look back on a 18 year old Scott Parker. He was loaded with technical ability.

I see Skipp as very industrious with a little ability. It will be an interesting couple of years with him. He is not a head turner as some youngsters plying their trade elsewhere. He is nowhere near the level of Declan Rice for example. And they play basically the same position.

I want to see him kick on, but please keep all in perspective. Please

Skipp is also a year and a half younger than Rice. At Skipp's age, Rice at played 1 minute in the PL and was getting ready to make his first real contributions.

 

['O Zio]

Important to remember that a year ago Declan Rice was nowhere near the level he is now, people are far too quick to judge young players. Skipp will improve massively.

I think he has lots of technical ability too, just doesn’t maybe have the physical attributes to impose himself fully yet.

He'll be an international level player, no doubt in my mind.

I think there's a balance to be struck obviously. I'm not saying we should judge him just yet, far from it, I'm just saying I think from the little we've seen people are getting a bit carried away. That doesn't mean I'm saying he definitely won't become just as good as people are hoping

It's just that (and I don't mean this to be picking on you personally, it's just a convenient example in your post) when people make comments like "He'll be an international player, no doubt in my mind" I'm struggling to see how people have come to such a confident conclusion already. He's played a handful of games, mostly cameos, in which he's largely done a good job and been impressive for a young lad, but he's not come in and been so jaw-droppingly good that you'd say he's a once-in-a-generation kind of talent either. And besides, even if you think he has been that good, it's such a small sample size that I struggle to see how anyone can be so certain anyway. The vast majority of 18-year-olds who make appearences in the PL will not go on to be PL regulars and certainly not international regulars so I just find it strange that someone can be so adamant the he's going to be one of those that buck the trend after a handful of good but not outstanding performances. Again, I'm not saying he won't, it's too early to judge, but I just don't get why so many are so confident of it.

 

[southlondonyiddo]

Personally I always thought kane had something.. It was that uefa game against heart of M that caught my eye where he played almost wide left forward of a front 3.

Hats off to you then because I didn't see that back in 2011, especially after he'd missed the penalty!! It wasn't until March 2014 when he came on at Benfica and completely changed the game. From that night we knew Kane really had something

 

[Khilari]

Why the fuck are we even debating this right now?

Guess cos it's a thread on Skipp and he played the last match

 

[Spursmatty87]

think a lot of people on here will be quite ashamed in a couple of years about what they’re saying right now.

I think poch’s greatest comment about our fans, is ‘we believe, but don’t really believe.’ It is relivent on so many issues. He’s 18 ffs and is trusted by our manager. Skipp is doing more lots of the season pros in the premier league.

Think a lot of fans are obsessed with other teams and what players would could sign.

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

As of right now when he plays the opposition will target that as a big area of weakness
Who needs a reality check exactly? You or me...

Except - that as I showed above, with the stats from the match - Leicester did not target Skipp - they targetted Trippier. Almost all of the chances came from Leicester's left flank.

Only 2 shots came from the right side - and one of those came after Skipp left the match.

Skipp did not help much in the attack - but he did not hurt us with his defense.

 

[Scissors&Tape]

Skipp's awareness and passing seem to be his greatest talents. He seems to have a very good sense of the game and what he wants to do with the ball before he receives it, and the ability to pass the ball quickly with a minimum of touches. On the senior team, this is often just passing back to Winks or one of our backs, but for the youth teams you see him playing more forward passes with pace and precision. That is probably by design, that is Poch instructed him to focus on possession. That being said, he did have a very nice defense splitting through ball for Llorente's goal against Tranmere, and had a nice cut pass for Rose for a cross immediately preceding his deflection/hand ball that led to Eriksen's goal.

He also is able to put the ball on target when shooting from the edge of the box. He had one blocked on Sunday.

Defensively, he looks to have a great work rate, and isn't afraid to lay a meaty tackle.

His dribbling hasn't been that impressive, at least compared to Winks and Dembele, who, to be fair, set a very high standard.

 

[SpurinChicago]

Kane was shocking at Norwich and his first appearances for us were nothing to brag about. Learned not to be overly critical of youngsters. Not worried about Skipp unless he doesn't look better in four years.

 

[bat-chain]

I think there's a balance to be struck obviously. I'm not saying we should judge him just yet, far from it, I'm just saying I think from the little we've seen people are getting a bit carried away. That doesn't mean I'm saying he definitely won't become just as good as people are hoping

It's just that (and I don't mean this to be picking on you personally, it's just a convenient example in your post) when people make comments like "He'll be an international player, no doubt in my mind" I'm struggling to see how people have come to such a confident conclusion already. He's played a handful of games, mostly cameos, in which he's largely done a good job and been impressive for a young lad, but he's not come in and been so jaw-droppingly good that you'd say he's a once-in-a-generation kind of talent either. And besides, even if you think he has been that good, it's such a small sample size that I struggle to see how anyone can be so certain anyway. The vast majority of 18-year-olds who make appearences in the PL will not go on to be PL regulars and certainly not international regulars so I just find it strange that someone can be so adamant the he's going to be one of those that buck the trend after a handful of good but not outstanding performances. Again, I'm not saying he won't, it's too early to judge, but I just don't get why so many are so confident of it.

Totally fine I don’t think I’m being picked on. But I’m happy to explain my reasoning.

Skipp has been produced by the same system that produced, Livermore, Mason, Townsend, Caulker, Winks and Kane. Judged by John McDermott and his staffjust like they were and yet none of them were near our first team at 18 let alone starting and doing OK in premiership games. All those players played for England so given that he appears to be so far ahead of the curve it would amaze me if he doesn’t pick up some England caps.

I trust Pochettino and if he says this and sees him train every single day I'm fairly sure he'll get there.

"I think everyone is proud of him. He is only 18-years-old and I think it was fantastic. Now I think it is going to be easy for him because always the debut you are nervous. I remember when it was my first game and I said to him 'you look so relaxed. When I was 17, going to play I was so nervous'. I said 'that is the difference between a player going to be a top player and a player who was going to be normal player like me'." - Pochettino


“All of the young players have really shown great character. A lot of them have trained with us a few times, guys like Luke Amos and Anthony Georgiou. But I think the guy who’s the youngest is probably Skippy, who’s really taken the game in his hands and is trying to do his thing. He’s been very good.

“First of all, [he has] courage. He is not scared to get the ball, he is not scared to go forward and he is not scared to tackle. He’s an all-round midfielder. And I think with a lot of training, as he gets older, he will be there.” - Eriksen

If McDermott rates you, you are probably good and if international level players like Pochettino and Eriksen rate you you are probably very good, that’s my thinking.

 

['O Zio]

think a lot of people on here will be quite ashamed in a couple of years about what they’re saying right now.

I think poch’s greatest comment about our fans, is ‘we believe, but don’t really believe.’ It is relivent on so many issues. He’s 18 ffs and is trusted by our manager. Skipp is doing more lots of the season pros in the premier league.

Think a lot of fans are obsessed with other teams and what players would could sign.

It's possible to believe in a young player without jumping to hyperbolic conclusions about them after they've barely played 10 games.

Like I said in my previous post, he may well go on to become a legend and I hope he does, but how anyone in all honesty can sit there today and say things like that they guarantee he'll be an England international is just confusing to me. That doesn't mean I'm saying he's shit, I'm just saying we can't possibly know either way so let's just enjoy him for what he is, a promising young player, without going overboard every time he has a decent 10 minute cameo

 

[dondo]

Kane was shocking at Norwich and his first appearances for us were nothing to brag about. Learned not to be overly critical of youngsters. Not worried about Skipp unless he doesn't look better in four years.

Shocking at Norwich??
Iirc he played 1/2 games and got injured and never played again that season

 

['O Zio]

Totally fine I don’t think I’m being picked on. But I’m happy to explain my reasoning.

Skipp has been produced by the same system that produced, Livermore, Mason, Townsend, Caulker, Winks and Kane. Judged by John McDermott and his staffjust like they were and yet none of them were near our first team at 18 let alone starting and doing OK in premiership games. All those players played for England so given that he appears to be so far ahead of the curve it would amaze me if he doesn’t pick up some England caps.

I trust Pochettino and if he says this and sees him train every single day I'm fairly sure he'll get there.

"I think everyone is proud of him. He is only 18-years-old and I think it was fantastic. Now I think it is going to be easy for him because always the debut you are nervous. I remember when it was my first game and I said to him 'you look so relaxed. When I was 17, going to play I was so nervous'. I said 'that is the difference between a player going to be a top player and a player who was going to be normal player like me'." - Pochettino


“All of the young players have really shown great character. A lot of them have trained with us a few times, guys like Luke Amos and Anthony Georgiou. But I think the guy who’s the youngest is probably Skippy, who’s really taken the game in his hands and is trying to do his thing. He’s been very good.

“First of all, [he has] courage. He is not scared to get the ball, he is not scared to go forward and he is not scared to tackle. He’s an all-round midfielder. And I think with a lot of training, as he gets older, he will be there.” - Eriksen

If McDermott rates you, you are probably good and if international level players like Pochettino and Eriksen rate you you are probably very good, that’s my thinking.

Sorry mate I've misunderstood you when you said "international player" I took that to mean you think he'll be like a nailed on first 11 regular for England. If you're counting people who've just been given a go in friendlies/qualifiers like Townsend, Caulker and Livermoore i.e. players who've had a couple of caps then that's different.

Like I say, he may well go on to be a top international player and I hope he does. I just think everyone's getting a little bit too carried away at the moment. I'm excited for him too, but we shouldn't burden him with so much expectation so early on IMO. A lot can happen in 4-5 years so let's just support him in the meantime and wait and see.

 

['O Zio]

Shocking at Norwich??
Iirc he played 1/2 games and got injured and never played again that season

In fairness, that is a pretty shocking record isn't it?

 

[Romulus]

Skipp is the real deal guys. you will all look back at this thread in a few years and cringe at your own comments

 

[SpurinChicago]

Shocking at Norwich??
Iirc he played 1/2 games and got injured and never played again that season

That is about right. But the games he played, to say he looked out his depth is an understatement. Can't remember ever thinking a player was so bad, even Gilberto. Everyone remembers his match against United where he kicked the ball into the stands in added time. No one remembers he tripped over his own feet about 8 times in two minutes during that game. Even vDV has said he is amazed how Kane has developed given how terrible he looked early on. Just saying it takes time. That is all. How many games has Skipp played where people are ready to render an opinion.

 

[C0YS]

Let’s not go overboard please. I want to see our kids do well. I really want Skipp to do well. Some of the comments on here is so OTT it is unbelievable. I have watched him at close quarters for a few years. He is not in Scotty Parker’s league. Some of us need to look back on a 18 year old Scott Parker. He was loaded with technical ability.

I see Skipp as very industrious with a little ability. It will be an interesting couple of years with him. He is not a head turner as some youngsters plying their trade elsewhere. He is nowhere near the level of Declan Rice for example. And they play basically the same position.

I want to see him kick on, but please keep all in perspective. Please

Firstly, I'm interested about the idea of looking back at Parker as an 18 year old. Now I was too young to remember his 3 substitute appearances in the championship but I'm sure people saw something in him in the youth team, or as a 14 year old in a McDonalds ad.

Scott Parker was roughly 21 years old by the time he started playing in the PL regularly and very quickly after that managed to cement his position as a starter. But Parker took until he was around 20 to play the same amount of matches Skipp already has.

A lot of this 'overboard' reaction is more of a response of unrealistic expectations and a complete misunderstanding of what his function was and is in the team in the last few appearances. Its because of a over the top reaction against Skipp that there has been an overreaction for him. Particularly as its often the same stuff for other players to come through at Spurs.

People like Lampard have publicly stated how unsupportive fans early in his career affected his confidence and performances at the time, similar comments have been echoed by Rose and Jenas (though the latter was much more proven) and fan reaction can be an issue. People deciding that Skipp isn't good enough to be getting minutes after watching a few minutes of him play is frankly embarrassing, give the guy time. Particularly as while he might not be the best option when he is played there is absolutely nothing to suggest he is a damaging one. In fact he has largely gone about his business quietly and effectively while contributing towards two goals.

I'm not claiming Skipp was outstanding but this idea that he looks out of his league is plainly false. He has made no errors, and in his entire 187 minutes of PL football we haven't coincided a single goal. In his two starts in the PL he has always been the midfielder with the most tackles (our top midfielder for tackles per minute), and the midfielder which has won the most headers (he is actually our top midfielder for headers per minute and second only to Llorente in the whole team, he is also the top midfielder for shots blocked per minute, ). I don't think he has excelled but he has done his job, and I think Poch thinks that too, and there is really not much more you could ask from him.

I also think he has a very good chance to make it here and should become a PL midfielder. When the likes of Eriksen (who was a wonder kid lets not forget) and Poch single you out for praise its a pretty high recommendation.

 

[DJS]

think a lot of people on here will be quite ashamed in a couple of years about what they’re saying right now.

I think poch’s greatest comment about our fans, is ‘we believe, but don’t really believe.’ It is relivent on so many issues. He’s 18 ffs and is trusted by our manager. Skipp is doing more lots of the season pros in the premier league.

Think a lot of fans are obsessed with other teams and what players would could sign.

And I will look forward to adding their comments to my signature, like my treasured Kane comment about eating underwear

 

[talkshowhost86]

Firstly, I'm interested about the idea of looking back at Parker as an 18 year old. Now I was too young to remember his 3 substitute appearances in the championship but I'm sure people saw something in him in the youth team, or as a 14 year old in a McDonalds ad.

Scott Parker was roughly 21 years old by the time he started playing in the PL regularly and very quickly after that managed to cement his position as a starter. But Parker took until he was around 20 to play the same amount of matches Skipp already has.

A lot of this 'overboard' reaction is more of a response of unrealistic expectations and a complete misunderstanding of what his function was and is in the team in the last few appearances. Its because of a over the top reaction against Skipp that there has been an overreaction for him. Particularly as its often the same stuff for other players to come through at Spurs.

People like Lampard have publicly stated how unsupportive fans early in his career affected his confidence and performances at the time, similar comments have been echoed by Rose and Jenas (though the latter was much more proven) and fan reaction can be an issue. People deciding that Skipp isn't good enough to be getting minutes after watching a few minutes of him play is frankly embarrassing, give the guy time. Particularly as while he might not be the best option when he is played there is absolutely nothing to suggest he is a damaging one. In fact he has largely gone about his business quietly and effectively while contributing towards two goals.

I'm not claiming Skipp was outstanding but this idea that he looks out of his league is plainly false. He has made no errors, and in his entire 187 minutes of PL football we haven't coincided a single goal. In his two starts in the PL he has always been the midfielder with the most tackles (our top midfielder for tackles per minute), and the midfielder which has won the most headers (he is actually our top midfielder for headers per minute and second only to Llorente in the whole team, he is also the top midfielder for shots blocked per minute, ). I don't think he has excelled but he has done his job, and I think Poch thinks that too, and there is really not much more you could ask from him.

I also think he has a very good chance to make it here and should become a PL midfielder. When the likes of Eriksen (who was a wonder kid lets not forget) and Poch single you out for praise its a pretty high recommendation.

Far too much reasoned opinion backed up by facts in this post.

Unacceptable.

*picks pitchfork back up*

 

[coys200]

Declan this time last year was heads and shoulders above, and stood out from his first game.

Not sure I’d say head and shoulders. But he was definitely more obvious than Skipp. I think a lot of the future top players just have that certain something extra and a presence about them. The fact literally nobody is talking about Skipp outside Spurs probably tells you everything you need to know about how he is currently perceived. Players like Gibbs-white got more attention.